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EDITED BY 

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REFACE. 



jj" N issuing this volume a few words of explanation are 
JO deemed appropriate. The association and intimacy 
long enjoyed with the departed bishop, the sentiments 
often expressed by him in regard to works of this 
description, the approval of the bereaved family, and 
the desire to do justice to the life and character of a 
dear friend, and perpetuate his memory and usefulness, led 
me to undertake the preparation of this work. The pres- 
sure of duty connected with the secretaryship of one of 
the benevolent societies of our Church allowed me to do 
but little more than solicit from a few of the large circle 
of the bishop's talented friends papers upon different periods 
of his life. 

A prompt response to these solicitations has enabled 
me at this early date to issue this valuable volume, pre- 
pared by persons whose names and productions can not fail 
to arrest attention and command respect. The service thus 
rendered by these friends is most highly appreciated, and 
grateful acknowledgment of its value on the part of those 
interested is hereby tendered. It is a tribute of love from 
those who had long known and esteemed him, and had 

watched with great pleasure his useful and brilliant career. 

(in) 



IV PREFACE. 

True friends with sorrowing hearts bring these tributes, and 
lay them upon the grave of one whom they loved. These 
are voluntary contributions to the memory of an eminent 
associate in the work of the Church by those still engaged 
in active service, from which he has been relieved. 

It consists of twelve valuable papers, prepared by differ- 
ent writers, presenting distinct portions of his busy life. The 
views of twelve persons upon any subject are more interest- 
ing and instructive, and are worthy of greater consideration, 
than those of any one of them; and by a wise division of 
labor twelve writers can furnish greater variety and richer 
material in a brief period than any one of them can possibly 
do. Each as a labor of love consented to prepare a chap- 
ter; but not one of them with his pressing duties could 
have been induced to write a volume. 

One excellence of this monograph consists in the fact 
that our departed friend is allowed to speak for himself 
upon the living questions of the age in which he took so 
deep an interest, and which he discussed with great candor 
and ability. 

This tribute of affection to our lamented bishop is sent 
forth to perpetuate the memory of a great and good man, 
to give encouragement to the enterprises of the Church in 
the advancement of which he took a leading part, and to 
furnish an illustration of what may be accomplished for the 
glory of God and the weal of man by a pure and conse- 
crated life. 

R. S. RUST. 

Cincinnati, Jtdy i, /88j. 



(B 



ONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

I. EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY, 1 

Henry A. Buttz, D. D., Madison, N. J. 

II. MISSION LIFE, 31 

Erastus Wentworth, D. D., Sandy Hill, N. Y. 

III. THE EDUCATOR, 51 

William V. Kelley, D. D., Middletown, Conn. 

IV. EDITOR AND AUTHOR, 73 

Bishop John M. Walden, LL. D., Chattanooga, Tenn. 

V. THE BISHOP 99 

Bishop Stephen M. Merrill, D. D., Chicago, 111. 

VI. RESIDENCE IN NEW ENGLAND, 115 

Prof. Luther T. Townsend, D. D., Boston, Mass. 

VII. FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY 119 

Richard S. Rust, D. D., Cincinnati. 

VIII. WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 143 

Elizabeth L. Rust, Cincinnati. 

IX. THE PHILANTHROPIST, 153 

Marshall W. Taylor, D. D., New Orleans, La. 

X. LITERARY CHARACTER, 159 

Samuel W. Williams, A. M., Cincinnati. 

(v) 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

XI. THE ORATOR, 167 

James M. Buckley, D. D., New York. 

XII. THE MAN, 175 

Isaac W. Joyce, D. D., Cincinnati. 

XIII. CLOSING SCENES 185 

Nathan J. Plumb and F. Ohlinger, Missionaries at 
Foochow, China. 

XIV. MEMORIAL SERVICES, 193 

In Cincinnati — Addresses by- Bishop J. M. Walden, R. 

S. Rust, Wm. Nast. 
At Wiley University — Address by Bishop W. F. Mal- 

LALIEU. 
Memorial Minute at Philadelphia Conference. 

XV. EDITORIAL SKETCHES, 209 

Western Christian Advocate, — J. H. Bayliss, D. D. 
New York Christian Advocate,— J. M. Buckley, D. D. 
Central Christian Advocate,— B. St. J. Fry, D. D. 
Southwestern Christian Advocate, — M. W. Taylor, D. D. 
Northwestern Christian Advocate,— A. Edwards, D. D. 
Pittsburgh Christian Advocate,— Chas. W. Smith, D. D. 
Northern Christian Advocate,— O. H. Warren, D. D. 
California Christian Advocate, — B. F. CRARY, D. D. 
Zion's Herald,— B. K. Peirce, D. D. 
In St. Paul Chronicle, Cincinnati,— Earl Cranston, 

D. D., J. J. Reed. 
Communications from E. T. Curnick, E. S. Lewis, E. 

W. S. Hammond. 

CLOSING PRAYER AT GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1884, ... 231 
Bishop Isaac W. Wiley. 



T^wfTr 



I. 

EARLY MPE M® MINISTRY. 



HENRY A. BUTT2, D. D. 

5b- 

tHE story of Bishop Wiley is the story of a life conse- 
crated to the highest forms of activity and usefulness. 
Eventful, full of sorrow and yet full of joy, successful 
in the loftiest sense, it will remain as an inspiration 
to those who in the future would live wisely and well. 
Beginning life in the way common to American youth, 
he closed it in the most honored office known to the 
Church of his fellowship. Intrusted with vast power by 
the Church, he wielded it for unselfish ends and to the 
glory of Christ. A bishop of the Church, he was always a 
lover of the pastorate, and he died in the mission field 
where he had spent the earliest years of his ministry. Full 
of honors and widely loved, his name is as precious ointment, 
and his life is embalmed in thousands of hearts throughout 
the world. Successively physician, missionary, pastor, ed- 
ucator, editor, and bishop, he was faithful to every trust 
confided to him; and the Church, with united voice as it 
reviews his life, exclaims with deepest thankfulness, "Well 
done, good and faithful servant f " He rests from his labors, 
and his works do follow him." 

The record of Bishop Wiley's life must therefore be full 
of interest. It is, however, the record of a man quiet 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



rather than ostentatious, prudent rather than aggressive. 
He won his way to his high position by real worth and solid 
work, accompanied by the blessing of Him whose follower 
he was, and in whose service he lived and labored and 
died. The time of the birth and of the death of a great 
man are not in themselves so important; but they give com- 
pleteness to his history, and form the boundaries of his 
career. They are also valuable in determining the move- 
ments in which he was called to act. The tracing of the life 
between these two points is the function of biography. This 
chapter is devoted to that part of Bishop Wiley's career 
from his birth until his entrance upon his work as an edu- 
cator, save that most interesting part in w r hich he was a mis- 
sionary to China, which forms a special era in his history 
and fitly constitutes a chapter by itself. 

Isaac W. Wiley was born in Lewistown, Juniata 
County, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of March, 1825. The 
place of one's birth has much to do with the un foldings 
of his character. It has been said that the mountains of 
New England, among which Daniel Webster passed his 
early years, had much influence in stimulating his mental 
powers. In the biography of the late Dr. Horace Bushnell, 
it is stated that he w T as reared among the rocks and hills, 
valleys and lakes, of one of the most romantic parts of Con- 
necticut. In his after years he refers to it with his accus- 
tomed philosophic manner, saying, "No ornamental work is 
needed to set off the landscape. Nature's rock will stand, 
and the toil that is necessary to clear the soil is just what is 
required to sharpen the vigor of our people. The necessi- 
ties of a rough country, and an intractable soil, are good 
necessities." Amid scenery of a similar kind Bishop Wiley 
was born. No one who has ever passed through the valley 
watered by the beautiful Juniata River — with its variegated 
forms of relief, with its mountain slopes and its water- 



EARLY IvIFE; AND MINISTRY. 6 

courses — can fail to recognize his deep insight as shown in 
the remark which he made concerning it : " My mind was 
much influenced by the scenery and the mountain ranges." 
In this romantic region, away from the bustle and strife 
of the great city, where nature wears her choicest garments, 
the subject of this sketch was born. 

But a far more powerful influence on his life was that of 
his parents. Their character and words made a deep im- 
pression upon him. In the autobiographical notes, written 
by his own pen for Dr. Liebhart and published in the Wes- 
tern Chiistian Advocate, to which the writer of this chapter 
is greatly indebted and from which he has found frequent 
occasion to quote, Bishop Wiley gives us a delightful view of 
them, showing alike their worth and his own filial love and 
admiration. We quote his language : " My father was a grain 
merchant, carrying on considerable trade by the river, and 
subsequently by the canal, with Eastern cities. My parents 
were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. . . . 
My father remained in connection with the Protestant 
Episcopal Church till within a year of his death, at which 
time he was converted at a Methodist camp-meeting. He 
died a triumphant death. His death was my first great sor- 
row. I was then six years old, and he had been an invalid 
for three years, the result of an accident. In his sick-room 
I spent much time — and dearly loved my father. His death 
first brought me into contact with the great mystery, and 
made an impression upon me which has lasted through life. 
It solemnized me, and my mind immediately began to work 
on religious matters. Soon after, I entered the Methodist 
Sunday-school, and had for my teacher one of the most saintly 
of women. For over sixty years she was a most exemplary 
Christian, was the means of leading many souls to Christ, 
and was for all those years a benediction to the town. I 
well remember a cluster of six godly women, members of 



4 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

our Church, of whom my mother was one, whose names 
were held in reverence in all the place as examples of real 
religion. My mother lived to be eighty years old — having 
been more than fifty years a Methodist." 

The relations of Bishop Wiley to Methodism grew, in 
part at least, out of his early religious environments. He 
Mas born in the same year in which the Lewistown Circuit 
first appears in the conference minutes as a Methodist ap- 
pointment. Methodism, however, had been introduced into 
that part of the country about ten years earlier; and his 
mother was one of the earliest results, and through her the 
introduction of her son into the Methodist Church, and 
finally the ministry, took place. The death of his father, 
when he was but six years old, impressed him deeply ; and, 
even in his childhood, his mind was turned to the ministry. 
A devoted lady, a teacher in the Sunday-school which he 
entered soon after his father's death — "one of the most 
saintly of women," as he called her — was one of the most 
important instruments in his training for his life-work. His 
own words will best describe this period in his history: 
" I used to preach to my invalid father in his sick-room, and 
was called by him his little preacher. I gathered my sisters 
and neighboring children into our attic, and there we had 
prayer-meetings, class-meetings, and even miniature camp- 
meetings. When about ten years of age my good Sunday- 
school teacher led me to the ' mourners' bench,' and prayed 
with me till I felt a new light in my heart. I do not know 
whether this was conversion or not. I knew I loved God, 
and his people, and all his works — and could not remember 
when I did not. My name was put down as a 'probationer' 
on the Church books, and there remained four years without 
any further allusion to it or me. Another gracious revival 
took place in our Church when I was fourteen. Again I was 
found at the altar, and again my name was entered as a pro- 



EARLY LIRE AND MINISTRY. O 

bationer. But little attention was given in those days by 
the Church to the religion of children, and all religious ex- 
periences of childhood were looked upon with much doubt 
by even grave old class-leaders. However, at the end of 
six months, I was received into full connection." 

At this stage in the life of the youth who was destined 
to fill so conspicuous a place in the history of the Church, 
it is fitting that we pause, and contemplate his relationships 
outside of his Church-life. A country village of that time had 
few of the opportunities which are now afforded to youth 
both in city and country. There were few libraries; there 
were no Christian associations, with their net-work of pre- 
cious influences, which are now so helpful to youth starting 
to prepare themselves for usefulness. The Sunday-school 
appliances were, in some respects, very inferior to those 
which we have now ; but the people were not without some 
compensations. The want of communication with the outside 
World, the lack of facilities for study at home, often impelled 
the youth to more earnest efforts ; and the few opportuni- 
ties which they had were improved to their fullest extent. 
All the possibilities of their surroundings were secured, and 
obstacles yielded to pluck and persistence. This is especially 
true of the subject of this memoir. He was the center of 
an association whose influence has been perpetual ; and if he 
had done nothing more than he did in that relation, he 
would not have lived in vain. 

Dr. A. P. Heichhold, of Erie, Pennsylvania, in a letter 
to Rev. Dr. Wentworth, brings to our view a decidedly in- 
teresting and instructive portion of his life. He states that, 
in the Winter of 1841, he was among the organizers of the 
Apprentices' Literary Society, which commenced its work 
with probably thirty members. " Mr. Wiley had, some time 
before that, become a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and was a most worthy and exemplary young man. 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



The society which he helped to organize, and of which he 
was the first secretary and subsequent president, received 
favorable attention from the people of Lewistown, and has 
proved the stepping-stone to usefulness to many an appren- 
tice. It still lives, and is now incorporated and owns prop- 
erty." He quotes the Hon. H. J. Walter, of Lewistown, as 
saying, concerning this society, "The bench, the bar, the 
pulpit, the press, the medical profession, trade, commerce, 
army and navy, state and national legislatures — all have or 
had representatives from it." He remained a member of this 
society until he left Lewistown. Dr. Heichhold adds: "I 
assure you, that few men ever wasted less time than did 
Bishop Wiley." 

Such testimony from those who knew him so early in life 
is certainly of the highest value. His position as secretary 
of the society when in his seventeenth year, and his subse- 
quent presidency of the same, show the confidence of his 
associates, as well as his recognized ability. Dr. Wentworth 
very justly characterizes this as an "extremely interesting 
incident" in the bishop's early life, "showing the secret of 
his interest in working-men." The resemblance of this in- 
cident in the history of our lamented bishop to one in Ben- 
jamin Franklin's early life will occur at once to every one 
familiar with the career of the great American philosopher 
and statesman. It exhibited his breadth, his humanity, and 
his capacity. It is possible that here is the germ of that 
feeling which afterward, under Divine guidance, led him to 
consecrate himself to the missionary work. 

It is, however, his Christian relations which chiefly con- 
cern the present inquiry. His fidelity as a Christian is 
shown in his rapid promotion, for one so young, to the vari- 
ous positions of usefulness which the Church opens. When 
sixteen years old he became assistant class-leader, at seven- 
teen an exhorter, and at eighteen a local preacher. 



EJA.RLY LIKE AND MINISTRY. 7 

It must not be forgotten, however, that these were years 
of mental as well as spiritual growth. He passed four 
years in the ordinary drill of the public school. At the age 
of fourteen he had settled it in his own mind that he would 
be a Methodist preacher, and thought it his duty to enter 
upon a course of preparation for his high calling. He ac- 
cordingly entered an academy to begin his preparation for 
college. "This was a new thing," he says, "in our region, 
for a Methodist boy to begin to prepare for college with a 
view to becoming a Methodist preacher." It was no common 
task for a boy of his age to begin such a course of study. The 
encouragements were not as many then as now. There were 
many obstacles in the way ; and yet, so far as we have any 
information, he had no fear of obstacles, but boldly under- 
took to get ready for the sophomore class in Dickinson Col- 
lege. He endured bravely the sneers of that time, and 
the terms "Methodist," "the preacher," etc., applied to him 
by his fellows — which were really aimed at his denomination, 
rather than at himself — and but for an interference, which 
grew out of his devotion to Christ and his work, he would 
no doubt have completed a full academical course. It was 
a singular interruption of his studies — especially when we 
take into consideration his intention of becoming a minis- 
ter — and, perhaps, one which has in it the marks of Provi- 
dence, which directs more wisely than we can comprehend. 

An extensive revival of religion took place in his part 
of the county when he was in his eighteenth year. He gave 
himself wholly to it. He gave up his studies, and was en- 
gaged directly for months in working for the salvation of 
souls. He devoted himself to it with all the enthusiasm 
of his youthful nature. About three hundred were con- 
verted to God in connection with that charge. 

This excessive labor resulted in great damage to his health, 
especially to his voice. In "the judgment of all, his voice 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



was permanently gone." This, however, did not prevent 
him from nobie aspirations and earnest efforts. He con- 
tinued his studies for six months in the academy, then 
taught school for the Winter. The belief that his throat 
difficulty would prevent his becoming a preacher led to the 
change in his profession, and his abandonment of his college 
course. In the Spring of 1844, he began the study of medi- 
cine in the village of Mifflin, Juniata County, Pennsylvania. 
It was here he met Miss Frances J. Martin, who afterward 
became his wife. He describes her in his autobiographical 
sketch, already mentioned, as "a. sweet-voiced, devotedly 
pious, and earnestly working Christian girl." She was the 
daughter of Mr. Amos H. Martin, and was married to Dr. 
Wiley at her father's house, in October, 1846. 

In jmrsuance of his purpose to become a physician, he 
entered the medical department of the University of the 
City of New York, where he remained until 1846. The 
same year he began the practice of medicine, on a physi- 
cian's license, at Blairsville, Pennsylvania, fifty miles east 
of Pittsburg, and in the bounds of the Pittsburg Conference. 
In the Autumn of this year he was married to Miss Martin, 
already mentioned, and he devoted himself to the work of 
his profession. They little thought that the course of medical 
study through which Dr. Wiley had passed was to be the 
means of opening to them another field of labor in a far-off 
land, and that Mrs. Wiley was to be one of the first of the 
heroic servants of Christ who should give their lives for 
China. His success as a practitioner of medicine, however, 
was not marked; and he remained in Blairsville less than 
two years. Mrs. Wiley won the high esteem of the people 
of the place ; and the doctor, in addition to his practice, 
served occasionally as a local preacher. It is said that 
an old man, now living in Blairsville, remarked, when he 
heard Dr. Wiley's first sermon : " The world will hear some- 



EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY. 9 

thing great of that man yet." Dr. Wiley says, of his prac- 
tice of medicine at this time, " It was a failure. I was not 
happy ; I was not satisfied that I was in the line of duty. I 
had plenty of work to do, and had good success in healing 
the sick ; but, financially, it was not a success." 

Meanwhile, before his marriage, many of his friends had 
urged him to enter the ministry, and among them the "ec- 
centric Jacob Gruber." He tried to persuade him "to give 
up both the marriage and the medicine." Marriage was at 
that time an almost insuperable obstacle to entrance upon 
the itinerant ministry. 

The year following his entering upon the practice of med- 
icine, and after his marriage, by the advice of his pastor and 
presiding elder, to whom he had opened his heart, his name 
was presented to the Pittsburg Conference; and, as "there 
was no room for married men in the conference," he was 
not admitted. 

In his brief narrative, he mentions the conclusion which 
he had now reached. The circumstances which had pre- 
vented his early studies for the ministry, and led him to 
abandon it, had now disappeared, for his voice had been 
completely restored; but a new obstacle had arisen appar- 
ently more fatal to his hopes and desires than the other. 
To us now it seems strange that a man so well qualified, 
who had "gifts, grace, and usefulness," should be barred 
from our ministry by the mere fact that he was married; 
but the circumstances then were different, and we must not 
misinterpret the motives and acts of our preachers and 
people of that time. Nevertheless Dr. Wiley felt the dis- 
appointment, as shown by his determination to surrender 
his license as a local preacher. He now reached the conclu- 
sion that his true work was to be a physician; and when, 
in the same year, he removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 
ninety-three miles from Philadelphia, within the bounds of 



10 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

the Philadelphia Conference, he declined to take a certifi- 
cate as a local preacher — desiring only to transfer his mem- 
bership. His pastor, Rev. Wm. F. Lauck, declined to give 
any certificate that did not include his license as a local 
preacher, and Dr. Wiley declined to receive a certificate 
unless the local preacher's certificate was omitted; and so he 
went to his new home without it. His pastor, however, 
carried his point by sending the certificate, both as a mem- 
ber and local preacher, to Rev. J. B. Hagany, the pastor of 
the Church at Pottsville, who reported the same to Dr. 
Wiley. Dr. Wiley adds : " At first I was inclined to resent 
this ; but, in a little while, felt that these good ministers were 
acting better and more wisely than I in the matter, and on 
the following Sunday night I preached for Brother Hagany." 

Firmly convinced now that his calling was to be a phy- 
sician, and not a preacher, he gave himself to his profes- 
sion. His love for souls, and for the work of the ministry, 
however, did not abate. He still hoped that the door of 
admission to the conference would open. In the Fall of 
1848 he removed to Port Carbon, where he remained until 
he sailed for China. 

The Rev. H. E. Gilroy, of the Philadelphia Conference, 
who was his pastor at Port Carbon, and with whom per- 
sonal friendship was continued to the close of the bishop's 
life, gives a most interesting account of Dr. Wiley's 
call to China, in a letter to the writer: "In the Spring 
of 1849 I was appointed to Port Carbon, Pennsylvania. 
Here I found him a local preacher in the charge, aod 
engaged in the practice of medicine. He had located here 
only a few months before I was appointed to the place. 
Both of us being comparative strangers in the community, 
and living near to each other, we soon formed an intimate 
friendship — which ripened into a strong personal attach- 
ment, and a confidence in which we could freely converse 



EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY. 11 

one with the other on matters of a private character. It 
was during the time I was his pastor (which was from the 
Spring of 1849 until he left for China) that I learned to 
know the man ; and a truer and more noble spirit never 
lived — a man, and the ' highest style of man' — as his 
subsequent history showed. 'The throat trouble' which 
changed the purpose of his life to the practice of medicine 
was removed, and with this returned the burning desire for 
the purpose of his life. But now another trouble was in 
the way which seemed to exclude all hope. He was then 
married, 'and your conference,' he said, 'does not receive 
married men, and there is no chance from any other source,' 
as he was not known to any extent among the preachers of 
another conference, and only to a limited one among those 
of our own. He feared that if recommended he might not 
be received, and this would be more than mortifying to his 
feelings; but I urged, and finally prevailed upon him to 
consent to be recommended. The result was as he feared — 
there was no opening at the conference (1850), and this was 
to him the end of all hope, 'for he would never consent to 
it again,' he said. Dr. Durbin was present at the conference 
when his case was represented ; and shortly after conference 
I received a letter from him asking certain questions con- 
cerning Dr. Wiley, and to inquire of him if he would be 
willing to go as missionary physician to China. I did as 
requested. His reply was : ' This has been the wish of my 
life.' I then let him know the source from which it came, 
and he said : ' Write at once, and say, Yes.' A correspond- 
ence soon followed between him and Dr. Durbin, and a per- 
sonal interview — then the appointment — and a more happy 
man than he was could not be found. It was the supreme 
wish and purpose of his life." He spent the Summer of 
1850 in arranging his affairs preparatory to his mission- 
ary work. 2 



12 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

The missionary item of the Northern Advocate, of Sep- 
tember 4, 1850, says: "Rev. I. W. Wiley, of Port Carbon, 
Pennsylvania, has been recommended by our missionary 
board at New York to be ordained and sent out as a mis- 
sionary physician to China." He was received the same 
year into the East Genesee Conference, which met at Bath, 
New York, and, at his own request, transferred to the Phil- 
adelphia Conference, which bade him God-speed in his 
important work. He pursued a further medical course in 
the University of the City of New York, received his 
degree, and sailed for China, March 13, 1851. It is not the 
province of this paper to speak of his success in that far-off 
land in this early period of the missionary activity of our 
Church. It belongs to the record of his missionary life, 
and will be traced by another and more fitting pen. 

His health at length failed again; and, after years of toil, 
in 1854 he returned with his two motherless daughters to 
his native land. His wife, who went out with him, had 
fallen in the battle for Christ. She died in China, in No- 
vember, 1853, and was buried at Foochow. Her character 
and her heroic services have been embalmed by his own 
tender hand, in his book on "The Fallen Missionaries of 
Foochow." 

On his return to America he entered the pastorate, and 
was appointed by Bishop Morris to Asbury charge, Staten 
Island, New York. At the session of the Newark Confer- 
ence, in the Spring of 1855, he was transferred from the 
Philadelphia to the Newark Conference, with which he was 
identified until his election to the episcopacy in 1872 — 
beloved and honored by both preachers and people. It 
was here that he became widely known as a preacher — a 
sphere in which he has shone with peculiar luster. 

Dr. Wiley's first appointment after his transfer from the 
Philadelphia to the Newark Conference, in the Spring of 



EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY. 13 

1855, was to the Halsey Street Church, Newark, New Jersey. 
This is one of the oldest Churches in the conference — the 
mother of Newark Methodism, now so strong and vigorous. 
He found a Church with a large and intelligent membership. 
In its pulpit he had been preceded, and has been followed, 
by many of our ablest and most successful ministers. This 
Church required in its pastor not only pulpit ability of a 
high order, but also large pastoral experience. The diffi- 
culties in his way were great, owing to his inexperience in 
the home work. His entire pastoral life in this country had 
been limited to a few months on Staten Island the preceding 
year. He had entered the ministry, and gone directly to 
China; and now on his return he was placed in a Church 
with a large membership, and where the preaching and pas- 
toral responsibility were more than ordinarily severe. He 
brought to the active pastorate, however, a preparation 
which was both broad and deep. He had not only a rich 
religious experience born of communion with God and 
chastened by deep affliction, but intellectual qualities of a 
high order, and a training suitable to his work. He was 
preparing for the sophomore class in Dickinson College when 
his health broke down ; he had pursued a classical course in 
the University of the City of New York when a medical 
student; he was a regular graduate in medicine; he had 
studied Chinese when a missionary ; he was well read in lan- 
guage, literature, and philosophy. His scholastic attain- 
ments were recognized, at a later period, by the different 
degrees conferred upon him by institutions of the first order, 
and also by the works which he produced, which will bear 
his name to the future. Besides, his missionary life was no 
inferior teacher for a man working for sinful men every- 
where. Thus was he prepared by grace and culture for his 
great work in the home field. 

Here he wrought, however, with great fidelity — growing 



14 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

constantly in the affections of the people, and doing a grand 
work for the cause of Christ. There was little of public 
demonstration, little to attract public attention, either in his 
preaching or in his methods of work ; but he laid broad and 
deep foundations, and won the confidence of the Church 
and of his brethren of the ministry to a marked degree. 
He left the Church, at the end of two years of faithful 
service, in an excellent condition, and has always retained 
the high confidence and esteem of its members, and his visits 
to them were always hailed with delight. 

It was at the beginning of his pastorate at Halsey Street 
that he was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Travis, 
daughter of Captain Travis, of Staten Island. Her mem- 
ory is still precious to the people to whom he ministered, 
and she was known and loved by all in the several relations 
they were unitedly called to fill. Her death occurred at a 
later period in the history of his life ; but her marriage 
connects itself directly with the period now under consider- 
ation, as an important factor in his usefulness among the 
people for whom they jointly toiled. 

In the Spring of 1857 he was appointed to Trinity 
Church, Jersey City. This was also one of the oldest and 
strongest Churches of the conference — and here, too, he had 
been preceded and has been followed by many of our ablest 
ministers. He found an intelligent and appreciative Meth- 
odist people. They received him cordially, and soon an 
attachment sprang up between pastor and congregation 
which was broken only by his death. All through his after 
life, in the varied positions to w T hich he was called, he was 
ever mindful of Trinity — and it was always a joy for him 
to preach to them, and for them to listen to him. 

At the close of his pastorate at Trinity he was appointed 
to the presidency of Pennington Seminary, an institution 
under the control ot the New Jersey and Newark Confer- 



EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY. 15 

ences, 

of Christian education for five years. This also marks a dis- 
tinct epoch in his life. 

The attachment between Dr. Wiley and the people of 
Trinity was such that, after five years' absence as princi- 
pal of Pennington Seminary, he was reappointed to this 
charge. He had fairly entered upon his work, when he 
was elected by the General Conference as editor of the 
Ladies' Repository, and removed to Cincinnati. 

The pulpit was Dr. Wiley's chosen field during his time 
of pastoral service. He loved to prepare sermons. He 
loved to preach them. He was a growing preacher. When 
he first began his work as a preacher he attracted only ordi- 
nary attention, and his congregation scarcely recognized the 
greatness of his abilities; but he steadily won his way, and 
became a great favorite as a preacher and as a platform 
speaker. It is somewhat difficult to analyze such a preacher 
as Dr. Wiley. His excellence consisted not so much in the 
predominance of any one faculty, or characteristic ; but in the 
harmonious blending of many. It was not exegesis only; 
but his exegesis of his text was exact and discriminating, 
and his sermon was built upon his text. It was not rhetoric 
merely; though his style was singularly lucid, and his lan- 
guage felicitous. It was not the power of strong emotion 
exhibited before his audience; for whatever emotion he 
might feel was kept under control. It was not logic merely ; 
though the logical consecution of his thoughts and the force 
of the argument were marked characteristics. There was 
nothing singular or dramatic about his manner; in fact, 
there was the entire absence of all attempt at display. His 
power lay in the harmonious blending of many elements. 
Above all else, it lay in his firm faith in the sufficiency of 
the truth itself, accompanied by the Spirit of God, to pro- 
duce the most profound conviction. 



16 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

As to his manner. He began quietly, gradually unfold- 
ing his topic — his sermon growing in intensity and power 
as he proceeded — until at last, when he closed, the sermon 
had often left an impression never to be effaced. He is said 
to have had the rare capacity of preparing his sermons com- 
pletely without committing them to paper, so that he was 
able to come before his audience with a sermon prepared 
for delivery, even as to the language, without manuscript.. 
His style was faultless; and many, who were most familiar 
with his pulpit efforts, declare him to have been a model 
preacher. It is worthy of note that he was not demonstra- 
tive in his manner; and, to the ordinary observer he seemed 
to lack the deep emotional feeling which some possess. In 
a letter to Rev. Dr. Charles Larew, of the Newark Confer- 
ence, who was one of his successors in the pastorate at Hal- 
sey Street, and with whom Bishop Wiley had the most 
intimate relations of personal friendship until the close of 
his life, he gives a view of himself at once beautiful and ex- 
planatory of his methods and of his aims. It was written 
from Pennington, November 5, 1862: 

" I have been longer in answering your letter than I 
intended — my necessity must be my excuse. I was agreea- 
bly surprised by the receipt of your letter — not by your 
friendship, for of that I always felt confident, but by the 
generous proffering of it to me. I most cordially accept it, 
and will give you mine in return. I have but few friends, 
using that term in its highest sense. Perhaps the reason is 
my fault — I have not sought them; not because I did not 
desire them, but for two reasons : first, I have never, hith- 
erto, felt that I had time to make friends. My life has been 
a busy one — a hard-working one from my youth up. This 
has partly been my necessity, partly my nature — some would 
say my ambition ; if so, not an unholy one, for I have never 
sought in return either honor or pay. I have been devoting 



EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY. 17 

myself unremittingly to my studies, and what I thought and 
found to be my duty. Perhaps this has been my mistake. 
Perhaps one of my duties was to give some time and atten- 
tion to cultivating the friendship of my fellow-men. But 
I felt that, in my earlier years, I had a work to perform, 
and was straitened until I accomplished it. I now feel 
somewhat easier. I have more years on my head than I 
had during the past twenty years, and one of my reasons 
for dispensing with personal friendships is passing away." 

In another letter to Dr. Larew from the same place, on 
December 7, 1863, he gives further interesting views of 
friendship, and also exhibits his inner life in his relations 
to his fellow-men : 

"I should judge its attributes about as follows: First, 
negatively — not ardent, enthusiastic, spontaneous, or impul- 
sive; but affirmatively — a friendship pure, sincere, accumu- 
lative, and enduring, both for time and eternity. ' Not amor, 
but caritas; not (pckca, but dydnrj — the charity that 'suffereth 
long and is kind, that envieth not, vaunteth not itself, and 
is not puffed up; that seeketh not her own, is not easily 
provoked, thinketh no evil ; that beareth all things, believeth 
all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, and never 
faileth.' Or, perhaps, like that 'wisdom that cometh down 
from above — that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and 
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without 
partiality and without hypocrisy.' Now that kind of affec- 
tion and friendship I can and do give you, and I know you 
give it in return. . . . 

"When any one speaks to me about 'superiority,' I 
weigh it very lightly, and simply say to myself: Well, he 
does not know me as well as I know myself; or he would 
rather pity my imperfections, and sympathize with my 
infirmities. As one of Shakespeare's characters says, 'No 
more of that, if you love me.' I am ' superior ' to nobody. 



18 ISAAC "W. WILEY. 

I never yet saw the man that was not my superior in some 
things, and from whom I could not learn something that I 
myself did not know. I may teach the rustic letters, but he 
can teach me how to raise corn — and one is as essential to 
man's need as the other. Where, then, is the superiority?" 

The earnest view of life, the desire to be absolutely 
noble, to do his work living above its ordinary level, gave a 
seriousness to every thing he did, and made his whole career 
one not of show but of enduring reality. His views of him- 
self and of his efforts were modest, and he seemed uncon- 
scious of the power that was in him. He distrusted his own 
eiforts, and was not unfrequently cast down at what he 
regarded as his failures. He showed this in a remark to 
his friend, Dr. Larew: "O for twenty-four hours of self- 
complacency! to realize how it feels." Speaking to Dr. 
Larew at another time, on the enthusiasm of many ministers, 
he said: "Larew, you and I have got too little of it for 
success." When, however, the people got beyond his nat- 
ural reserve, they became conscious that they were in contact 
with one of the noblest as well as one of the kindest and 
most sympathetic hearts they had ever known. 

It is safe to say that, owing to his marked ability in the 
pulpit, his work as a pastor has not received the recognition 
that was properly his due. In the generally accepted sense 
of that word, he was not a popular pastor. He was not a 
frequent social visitor at the homes of his people; but he 
was very faithful to those who were in real need of his pas- 
toral services. The Rev. Wm. Day, of the Newark Confer- 
ence, who was his neighbor three times in adjoining charges, 
and his successor once, as well as a personal friend, gives 
his views of him as a pastor, as follows: 

" In pastoral work Dr. Wiley had an intense aversion to 
mere chit-chat calls, or visits, chiefly to express social 
esteem. He had no time, taste, or qualification, for that 



EARLY LIKE AND MINISTRY. 19 

kind of exercise, but regarded it as degrading to both pastor 
and people. He moved among his people as their spiritual 
instructor and guide — the same in purpose and spirit out of 
the pulpit as in. His visits were comparatively few ; but were 
made where, in his judgment, most needed — tender in sym- 
pathy, rich with instruction and prayer, and beautiful with 
the charm of an elevated character and life. If the quality 
and real value of pastoral visits are to be considered, rather 
than the 'number of calls/ then he was not 'a poor pastor/ 
but a truly great one. It was my privilege to succeed him 
in one of the heaviest pastorates of the conference. I found 
the memory of his visits gratefully cherished, and with the 
purest effects in many homes. 

"Among those upon whom he frequently called during 
his pastoral work was an aged female member who had 
been confined to her bed with intense suffering for eleven 
long years. She was among the poorest of the poor, and 
there was no earthly motive to draw the pastor to her little 
unpainted dwelling, quite remote from the parsonage. Said 
Dr. Wiley to his successor : ' I often made visits there, and 
sat by her bedside to learn what patience is.' And in 
years after, the mention of his name to the sufferer would 
brighten her countenance with grateful, holy joy. Blessed 
testimony to his pastoral devotion ! It is true that some in 
the congregation thought him a little too reserved and un- 
bending, and the young people wished he had been 'more 
social / but, in all their minds, he had left what is of infin- 
ite importance — a profound respect for the ministerial office, 
and a high appreciation of the Church of Christ. In con- 
ducting public service on the Sabbath, his supreme thought 
and purpose was the worship of God — and all the different 
parts of the service were made to subserve that one purpose. 
The prayer was generally as impressive and instructive as 
the sermon; and those who followed the pastor in the 



20 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

prayer were led into the Holy of Holies, and into the 
presence of God. The impression made on the thoughtful 
attendant was, the minister believes in God, in prayer, and 
in the Bible as God's Word. He feared the gathering of 
people into the Church in multitudes, or by hasty exciting 
means. Persons came into the Church under his ministry, 
not in large numbers, but with intelligent convictions, gen- 
uine conversion, and have been remarkable for the constancy 
of their religious attachments and characters." 

Such testimony from one so well acquainted with the 
work of Dr. Wiley, and who understands the facts in the 
case, is conclusive on this point, and shows that, although 
he was not given to the social side of pastoral life to a 
marked extent, he was not deficient in its more serious and 
religious aspect, and was ever ready to help those who 
needed either his pastoral guidance or Christian sympathy 
and aid. 

His interest in his brethren of the conference was deep, 
and never wavered. He had a high regard for the amenities 
of the ministry, and he never allowed a brother minister to 
be disparaged in his presence. His sense of honor was 
high, and even chivalrous. The slightest offense against it 
was regarded by him with dislike ; and the sure way to lose 
his confidence was to attempt to gain it by the disparage- 
ment of any one else. One who knew him well relates the 
following incident, as illustrative of this aspect of his char- 
acter as a minister. At a gathering of his congregation on 
one occasion, about the time a new pastor had come to a 
neighboring charge, one of his people took occasion to say, 
of the new pastor, "He can not be of much account; why, 
we have never heard of him before :" and similar expres- 
sions from others were not wanting. Dr. Wiley promptly 
replied, with gentleness of spirit and firmness of tone: 
" Friends, if you please ! The pastor of whom you speak 



EARLY IvIFE AND MINISTRY. 21 

is a Methodist minister, and our brother. He is worthy of 
the position he occupies, and worthy of our fraternal confi- 
dence and esteem. I wish him much success, and shall be 
glad to help him." The immediate impression was profound, 
the eifect elevating and lasting. The Christian lady who 
heard and reported this, being a member of another Church, 
was charmed with his magnanimous spirit and bearing. 
Both of them are now where fellowship is perfect and strife 
unknown. 

This was in part the ground of the deep affection in 
which he was held by his brethren of the conference. 
They trusted him because he was worthy of their trust; 
and, on three successive occasions, his name appears first 
on the list of those whom they selected to represent them 
in the General Conference, viz., 1864, 1868, 1872, at the 
last of which he was made a bishop of the Church. After 
his acceptance of the presidency of Pennington Semi- 
nary, he still continued his work as a preacher and public 
speaker. He was in great demand on all occasions. He 
was frequently called upon for addresses in connection 
with the great organizations of the Church of Christ. His 
platform addresses partook of the characteristics of his 
preaching. They were chaste, forcible, and practical pre- 
sentations of his theme. Multitudes of preachers and people 
well remember those days when his voice rang out, with no 
uncertain sound, on all the great movements of the time. 
He was not an unconcerned spectator of the conflicts of the 
Church, and of the nation. The cause of temperance was 
dear to his heart, and he pleaded powerfully for it. He was 
also an ardent patriot. He was aroused thoroughly on the 
subject of his country's destiny, and pleaded powerfully for 
the Union and for freedom. He delivered two lectures, 
which were well known and highly appreciated. The sub- 
jects were: "How we got in," and "How we shall get out." 



22 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

These had the ring of the true patriot, and endeared him to 
many hearts. 

While he was president of the seminary, he took charge 
of State Street Church, in Trenton, as pastor, still contin- 
uing his work in the institution. The depth of his religious 
experience at this time, and the views which he held on 
important questions, are shown in another letter to his friend, 
Rev. Dr. Larew. It reveals also the reason why he took 
upon himself the work of a pastor when his strength was 
inadequate to the task he had undertaken. 

If to the general work on his hands we add that he 
was always a close student, we can readily realize how heavy 
the burden which he was bearing for the Church. His 
literary labors and attainments do not belong here ; but they 
are not to be forgotten in considering the labors to which he 
refers in this letter to Dr. Larew, dated February 24, 1863: 

"Yours has been too long unanswered. I could give 
you many reasons why, but need not. I will mention one, 
as I mean it to constitute a part of my letter — I have been 
in very poor health, nearly all Winter, and especially since 
the holidays, and it has been as much as I could do to keep 
my duties moving, and keep up to my work. I am kept so 
constantly busy here, that even an additional letter adds to 
its weight. I am afraid my health is seriously injured. The 
truth is, I have done too much — I have been on a stretch for 
about fifteen years, working on high-pressure, and for the 
past five years on double high-pressure — I have had full two 
men's work ever since I have been in the seminary, and, a 
year ago, foreseeing that we would come short in the semi- 
nary, I took State Street Church pulpit, in Trenton, and that 
added nearly another man's work. I did it in order to save 
the seminary. I have done that, but fear I have hurt my- 
self. Well, in consequence, I have felt somewhat low- 
spirited, and have had time for more serious self-thinking. 



EARLY LIFE AND MINISTRY. 23 

" Two consequences will result. First, I will be a better 
man. I feel that already. I have felt more need of God — 
I have wanted a divine Friend to lean upon. I have found 
him — and Christ is nearer and dearer than three months 
ago. I have been feeble — and have felt around for the di- 
vine strength, and have found it. My faith is stronger — I 
have learned a large lesson in the way of resignation and 
submission. I can take a cooler view of things temporal, 
and a brighter and sweeter view of things eternal. I have 
gained, what I very much needed, a weanedness from earth, 
and an attraction toward heaven. . . . 

" There, now, I have written nearly all my letter ; and it 
is all about myself. What a big shadow self makes on every 
thing. I agree with you on preaching — I love the Bible 
more and more, and am constantly more convinced that 
true preaching is preaching the Bible. I believe we have 
got far away from the best kind of preaching in these latter 
days — when preaching is emphatically lecture, and essay- 
making. True preaching is expository — unfolding the Word 
of God, and sending it home to the people's heads and 
hearts. I wish all we preachers so preached, and that the 
people so loved the Word of God as to love such preaching. 
I have got sick of eloquence, and logic, and rhetoric, and 
reason, and theology, and the whole school of them, and 
want the pure Word of Life as it flowed from divine and 
inspired lips. And I think my true business is to sit before 
these inspired teachers, and from their words try to find out 
what was swelling and beating in their hearts, and teach it 
to the people." 

The reader will not fail to notice the delicate lines in 
Dr. Wiley's character here so incidentally brought to our 
notice, and his ripe views on preaching. His self-sacrifice 
for the good of the work with which he had been intrusted 
by the Church is clearly shown. This period properly 



24 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



belongs to his history as an educator. It is only in his char- 
acteristics as a minister that a reference to this part of his 
life can find place here. 

A beautiful and affecting tribute to Dr. Wiley at this 
time is given in the Christian Advocate, of March 5th, from 
the pen of General James F. Rusling, of Trenton, New 
Jersey — a tribute to him alike as a preacher, orator, and a 
patriot. The touching words will find a response in the 
hearts of many, both among the ministers and laymen of 
New Jersey, who knew and loved Dr. Wiley: 

"In 1862, while still principal of Pennington Seminary, 
he became pastor of State Street Church here, to fill an in- 
terregnum of one year. During that year he gave his week 
days to the seminary, and his Sabbaths to State Street, as a 
rule. Fortunate Church ! Happy people ! It was not my 
good fortune to be here much then, being absent in the 
army; but I kept track of his splendid work, and occasion- 
ally heard his powerful discourses and addresses. He was 
then in the zenith of his fame, and in the fullness of his 
power, and seemed wonderfully stimulated by those stirring 
times. Though an educator and a pastor, he was also an 
ardent patriot, and, like Bishops Simpson and Ames, and 
others of that ilk, did not hesitate to speak for the Union on 
all apt occasions. He loved liberty. He hated slavery. He 
believed thoroughly in the American Republic as the child 
of Providence and the best hope of the race — and he boldly 
declared his passionate faith with a vigor, an eloquence, and 
a logic that disarmed criticism and bore all before him. The 
war was much on his lips in those days, in his prayers and 
sermons as well as in his public addresses ; and at our great 
war meetings, here and elsewhere in New Jersey, he was 
always a much sought-for speaker. I remember speaking 
with him at one held in Trenton, in the Summer of 1862, 
when the Union cause seemed at its lowest ebb, after the 



EARLY LIKE AND MINISTRY. 25 

repeated disasters and defeats of our Little Napoleon ; but 
his faith in final triumph was still full and serene, and his 
speech that night grand and sublime. He reviewed the 
salient facts of the rebellion with masterly ability ; he stated 
the existing 'situation' with peculiar force and logic; he 
dissected McClellan the unready; he eulogized our rank 
and file; he appealed to the liberty-loving and patriotic to 
stand by the Union, as God's last, best gift to man, and 
wound up with an apostrophe to the flag, impassioned, 
solemn, impressive, unsurpassed in modern eloquence. He 
said something like this: That at the topmost point, over 
the very dome of the sky, floated the flag of Jesus Christ, 
Lord over all, blessed forever. But just beneath that, and 
beneath only that, over all other flags and all else whatso- 
ever, streamed the Stars and Stripes. And, down deep in 
his soul, he felt absolutely sure heaven would yet speed it* 
to final and complete victory. He looked like an inspired 
prophet of old that night. He spoke like the accomplished 
orator he was; and the effect of his superb address was most 
stirring and salutary then and there. 

"But, while thus doing effective work as an American 
citizen (all honor to his civic courage !), he did not forget his 
greater work as a Christian minister. Of course, he could 
not do much pastoral visiting, absorbed as he was in semi- 
nary duties; but he put in his Saturday afternoons well, and 
his sermons on Sundays were usually models of learning and 
eloquence. Sometimes, indeed, they seemed like logic at a 
white heat or philosophy on fire. He was brimming over 
with ideas, fresh and original; but he had also the golden 
gift of speech — the divine art of utterance — and spoke, ap- 
parently, as easily as a bird sings, because it can 't help it. 
He never read, and spoke, apparently, extemporaneously; 
but a practiced observer would note, that his sermons were 
very thoroughly prepared and deeply meditated. Often 



26 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

many of his divisions must have been at least mentally com- 
posed, if not written out and memorized in advance, his 
words were so aptly chosen, and his sentences followed each 
other in such rhetorical connection, and with such logical 
precision. It is impossible for any human mind to work 
so accurately and logically, as his sometimes did, without 
some such preparatory process, though, as a rule, I judge, 
he trusted for mere words to the inspiration of the moment. 
It goes without saying, that he never preached namby- 
pamby or wishy-washy sermons. There was nothing of the 
* Rev. Cream Cheese/ or divine dude, about him. But he 
was a man all through, and always spoke with a power and 
an unction peculiarly his own. Evidently, he always felt 
he had a message to deliver, and delivered it boldly, 
resolutely, solemnly — as if commissioned of God that day 
to deliver it, and he meant to obey his commission. He 
could not fail to impress me as a thoroughly upright and 
conscientious man — of wide reading, of deep experience, 
of fervent piety, of first-rate abilities — and, as such, of 
course, he soon 'held the ear of the town.' 

" Our pews quickly filled up to overflowing with all that 
was then best in Trenton, and 1862 became a 'white year' 
in the history of the State Street Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He quickened and revived our membership; he 
arrested and aroused sinners; he stimulated the sister 
Churches — and, in short, did a sterling work for God in 
Trenton, both inside and outside of Methodism, that will 
long be remembered here. Its rich fruits in after years 
attest its worth in time ; and what besides shall not eternity 
disclose ? In subsequent years, when he became bishop, and 
had 'the care of all the Churches,' he visited Trenton occa- 
sionally, and was always welcomed ; but our chiefest thoughts 
go out to him as our great pastor of 1862, and as such his 
memory here shall be green forever. 



EJAR.LY LIRE} AND MINISTRY. 27 

"A prince in Israel, a great preacher, a superb orator, a 
wise theologian, a devout Methodist, a brilliant educator, a 
true friend, and a typical American, I cast upon his grave 
this passing chaplet as a humble tribute from New Jersey 
Methodism, and invoke upon the Churches, and upon us all, 
the spirit of his great life and holy example. A worthy 
successor of John Wesley and Francis Asbury, a true asso- 
ciate of Gilbert Haven and Thomas Bowman, we may well 
say of him, as of the knights of old: 

" ' The knight is dust, 

And his good sword is rust ; 

His soul is with the saints, we trust ! ' " 

In the Spring of 1864 he returned to Trinity Church, 
Jersey City, as pastor, where he was welcomed with open 
arms. He entered upon his pastorate with his usual earnest- 
ness. The Church, however, had other work for him to do. 
He was elected editor of the Ladies' Repository, and his 
dwelling place was removed from the midst of brethren with 
whom he had been so long identified in Church-fellowship; 
but his work survives, and he has a permanent home in the 
hearts of all his old friends and co-laborers. 

We have proposed in this chapter no characterization of 
our now sainted bishop. That task belongs to others. It 
is a part of his early life and ministry, however, to speak 
of him as a member of the conference in its organized ca- 
pacity. He did not participate largely in the debates of 
that body. In fact, he might properly be classed among 
the silent members of the conference. He was always 
ready to perform any work assigned him on the committees 
or elsewhere, but he left to others the work of public dis- 
cussion. In response to one who urged him to take a more 
active part in the conference deliberations he merely an- 
swered : " I never take a leading part." That he had all the 
qualities of leadership was afterward fully demonstrated. He 



28 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

was a growing man, and, probably, while listening to others, 
he was quietly, though unconsciously, being prepared for the 
broader sphere which Providence had designed him to fill. 
He often studies most who speaks the least. Perhaps, too, his 
natural reserve led him to shrink from appearing thus prom- 
inently among his brethren, unless it became necessary for 
him to do so. It is said of Frederick D. Maurice, that "he 
was too sensitive, too shy, too ready to espouse the weaker 
side, too scrupulously honest to make his way as an outward 
leader of men." Whatever be the cause, he did not regard 
it as his vocation to speak much on the conference floor. 

The confidence, however, of his brethren in his ability 
was shown, as already indicated, in thrice sending him to 
represent them in the highest council of the Church. If it 
were proper for the writer of this chapter to speak of 'him- 
self in this connection, he would speak of the personal loss 
he has sustained in the death of Bishop Wiley. He came 
into the conference when Dr. Wiley was among the recognized 
forces of a conference abounding in men, strong and noble, 
and true. He remembers his pale face and slight form, his 
dignified simplicity, his unfailing courtesy. More than once 
has Dr. Wiley given him wise counsel, and shown him 
kindness, which are unfading in his memory. He mourns 
him as a bishop and as a friend. The memory which he has 
of him is that of a man — reserved yet truly communica- 
tive, unobtrusive yet courageous, studious without pedantry, 
firm yet kind — with many opposite elements harmonized 
and blended by faith in Christ. 

With the Spring of 1872 his connection with the Newark 
Conference ceased by his election to the episcopacy. His 
grand work in his high office is known and read by the 
whole Church. His old comrades have ever followed his 
career as if he were still one of themselves; they have gladly 
welcomed him more than once to preside over them; they 



EARLY LIKE AND MINISTRY. 



29 



have prayed for his success, and they have sympathized in 
his sorrows; and now that, in the maturity of his powers, 
he has been called to the rest of the blessed, "they sorrow 
most of all that they shall see his face no more." They 
join with a bereaved Church in tendering to his afflicted 
family, in their overwhelming sorrow, their deepest sym- 
pathies, and their prayers that they may be comforted with 
the rich graces and promises which God, the Father of all, 
can alone bestow. The heavens have welcomed back their 
own; and his friends on earth, through their tears, gaze by 
faith on their departed Bishop Wiley now crowned with an 
unfading crown. 







A 



J[n % ttkxhfim. 



HAT part is finished ! I lay down my pen, 
^ And wonder if the thoughts will flow as fast 

Through the more difficult defile. For the last 
Was easy, and the channel deeper then. 

My Master ! I will trust thee for the rest ; 

Give me just what thou wilt, and that will be my best. 



How can I tell the varied, hidden need 

Of thy dear children, all unknown to me, 
Who, at some futui'e time, may come and read 
What I have written? all are known to thee. 
As thou hast helped me, help me to the end ; 
Give me thy own sweet messages of love to send. 



So now, I pray thee, keep my hand in thine, 

And guide it as thou wilt. I do not ask 
To understand the "wherefore" of each line; 
Mine is the sweeter, easier, happier task 
Just to look up to thee for every word, 
Rest in thy love — and trust, and know that I am heard. 

30 FRANCES R. HAVERGAL. 






—^^^^^^¥£^^^^ 



II. 

M8810M MPE. 



WENTWORTH, D. D. 



HINA was the first really heathen missionary field 
entered by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Foo- 
chow, a city of six hundred thousand inhabitants, in 
the latitude of the Rio Grande, Texas, was the station 
chosen by the pioneers, White and Collins, in 1847. 
Dr. Isaac W. Wiley was the fifth man sent to this mission, 
with its second re-enforcement, in 1851. 

As early as 1848 the missionary committee in New York 
resolved to recommend to the bishop in charge of Foreign 
Missions to select and appoint a missionary physician to be 
sent out as soon as possible, said physician to be a member 
of an annual conference. 

July 1, 1850, Dr. Wiley's case was considered by the 
committee, and, on August 6th, the unanimous opinion was 
reached, that he be appointed, on condition that he should 
complete his medical education by regularly graduating at 
one of our medical colleges the ensuing Winter. 

August 28th, Isaac W. Wiley heads the list of those 
"admitted on trial" in the East Genesee Conference, trans- 
ferred to the Philadelphia Conference, and formally appointed 
to the China Mission by Bishop Waugh. 

Disappointed in his cherished hope of preaching, by the 
failure of his voice in the Winter of 1842-3, young Wiley 

(31) 



32 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

had turned his attention to the study of physic, and, in 
1846, after a course of lectures in New York, commenced 
its practice in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, under a physician's 
license. 

Seven years' study and five years' practice had qualified 
him amply to profit by attendance upon a full course of lec- 
tures at the New York University, and for graduation as a 
full-fledged M. D. in mid-February, 1851. 

February 19th, the board voted him a medical outfit of 
two hundred and forty dollars, with which to furnish a dis- 
pensary at Foochow. The ocean voyage of sixteen thousand 
miles between March 13th and June 17th, in a well- 
appointed clipper, was a period of health and enjoyment. 
That from Hongkong to Foochow, four hundred miles fur- 
ther up the coast, was without incident. By July 9th they 
were at Pagoda anchorage, in the beautiful river Min, within 
ten miles of their future field of labor — and here commenced, 
at the moment of their arrival, the education of the natives 
in the much-needed knowledge of foreigners, accustoming 
the Chinese to their presence, their ways, their society, their 
religion, especially familiarizing them with the sight of for- 
eign women and children. 

A boat excursion to one of the populous villages on the 
banks of a tributary of the Min " summoned the entire pop- 
ulation to the banks of the stream." "A dense and moving 
mass of excited people thronged the banks of the creek," 
says Dr. Wiley, "each advance of our boat bringing a fresh 
accession of anxious spectators, who, for the first time, prob- 
ably, were permitted to look on a company of western bar- 
barians." A bungalow, built in 1849-50 by the bachelor, 
missionary J. D. Collins, and vacated by his return to Amer- 
ica in April, 1851, was ready for their reception — situated 
in an olive orchard on the crest of a hill, the north side of 
which slopes down to the populous suburb by the side of 



MISSION LIKE. 33 

the river, the opposite slope covered with the graves accu- 
mulated by centuries of burials from the city, and extending 
for miles along the ridges among the stunted pines. 

The two years and seven months spent by Dr. Wiley on 
missionary ground, in actual contact with heathenism were 
little more than a record of trials — apparently unproductive 
labors, family afflictions, and severe personal sufferings. 
Of the work he accomplished we get a glimpse in a letter 
to his sister, dated November 4, 1851, some four months 
after his arrival in China: 

" We are all well and happy. Very well, indeed, con- 
sidering the very warm weather we have had, and the fact 
of our coming into a new climate at this hottest season of 
the year. Happy, too, in the consciousness that, coming 
to this distant land and devoting our lives to this sacred 
work, we are doing our duty. I think at last I have found 
my real calling. I tried, at home, many situations, and was 
disappointed in all. I always felt that I was not doing my 
full duty to God and my fellows; but, since coming here, 
I have been, indeed, contented and happy. 

"I feel that God is with me, and blesses me — and that 
I am engaged in a great and glorious work, in which there 
is abundant room for the exercise of all my abilities, mental 
and bodily, whatever they may be, and, being constantly 
employed in the best of causes, I can not be otherwise than 
contented and happy. The families of our mission are all 
in good health. I can not say as much for the health of 
the members of the other missions [American Board and 
Church of England]; and I have had some serious cases 
among them, besides having something to do [professionally] 
in my own family. 

" Health we consider our greatest blessing here. Without 
that we can do nothing here ; and we feel very grateful that 
Providence has so far dealt kindly with us. 



34 ISAAC \V. WILEY. 

"We are doing all we can in our missionary labors — 
toiling daily at the language, which is the work of years. I 
do not find it very difficult, but it requires close application. 
We have already picked up quite a number of words and 
phrases, so that we get along with our housekeeping much 
better than we did at first. I am doing all I can in the way 
of ministering to the bodily wants of the people. We 
have had a great many visitors to our dispensary, where, 
with medicine, we have given also religious books, which, I 
trust, have done many of them good. The way of the Gos- 
pel seems very dark here — no converts as yet in Foochow, 
and it will probably be a long time before any will be con- 
verted: yet this is not discouraging. 

" We can scarcely be considered as doing any thing more 
at present than preparing the way. In some of the most 
successful mission stations in the world the missionaries 
toiled for many a long year before they saw the fruit of 
their labors. The missionaries to Tahiti labored among the 
natives of that island for fifteen years without making a 
single convert. Now, the whole island is converted to 
Christianity! 

"There has been missionary labor in Foochow only 
since 1846, a period of five years; and, indeed, but little 
was done till 1849, as none of the missionaries were able 
to preach in the dialect till then. Though none have been 
fully converted to God, we are yet permitted to see a grow- 
ing interest among the people to know something about the 
'new religion.' They take our books, and, beyond ques- 
tion, many read them, and afterward return to ask questions 
about them. We make great use of the written language, 
and circulate many excellent books, together with various 
portions of the Bible. 

"The Chinese are a very superstitious people, and are 
rigidly attached to their systems of relig-ion. There are 



MISSION LIFE. 35 

many temples in Foochow [two hundred], and many idols, 
to which they pay constant devotion. Besides these, they have 
a great number of joss-houses — little square buildings scat- 
tered along the streets [way-side shrines] — occupied by one 
or more images, before which incense is constantly burning. 
They are, in every sense, idolaters. They keep idols in their 
homes as well as in their temples and shrines, and prostrate 
themselves before them, and worship them. They teach 
their children, when very young, to worship idols. I have 
seen a Chinese mother teaching her child, probably not more 
than three years of age, to bow down before an ugly-looking 
idol, and clasp its little hands together, and repeat prayers 
to this dumb object with great veneration. The name they 
give their gods is 'shin' [spirit — or shan-te, supreme ruler]. 
Of these shins they have many hundreds — gods of heaven, 
gods of the earth, gods of the mountains, gods of the 
rivers, gods of the cities, domestic gods, gods of the kitchen, 
barbers, tailors, and all other trades and occupations. 

" Some of their temples are very fine buildings, covering 
a large area, and divided into various compartments — halls 
for worship, and priests' residences. They keep up almost 
constant worship of a very noisy character, accompanied by 
gongs, bells, drums, loud cries, prostrations, and ridiculous 
and fantastic gestures. They have many religious street 
processions, in which they carry about idols large and fright- 
ful, with a horrible discord of horns, drums, gongs, and 
cymbals." 

The first difficulty that confronted the new-comers was 
the acquisition of the language — the hardest on the face of 
the globe to acquire. Dr. White, co-missionary till Decem- 
ber, 1852, now professor in Yale College, says: "Dr. Wiley 
was diligent and successful in learning to speak Chinese ; as 
much so as any one, considering the time he had for its 
study." 



36 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

Summer in the tropics is wearing upon a Northern consti- 
tution, and the Wileys arrived in Foochow in midsummer, 
the season of its hottest beams. Nevertheless, their heathen 
home was favorably situated to catch the evening breeze 
from the sea, and for walks, and excursions by sedan chair, 
on the quiet hills upon which their house fronted. 

Their first severe trial was the prolonged sickness of Mrs. 
Wiley, after the birth of her second daughter (the first 
was born at Port Carbon, Pennsylvania), November 30, 
1851, followed by a severe cold and acute rheumatism, which 
confined her to the bed for eight weeks, succeeded by pain- 
ful and obstinate affections, which did much to break up 
her constitution, and even then threatened fatal termination. 
By April, 1852, medicine had had so little effect that the 
question of her return to America was seriously considered, 
to be decided finally in the negative. In September follow- 
ing, Dr. Wiley himself was prostrated for six weeks with 
severe dysentery, and for some time his life was despaired of. 

The last of August of that year, Mrs. Wiley, writing to 
friends in Pennsylvania, says: "My own health is better 
than it was last Winter, though I have still some pain in the 
limbs. The doctor is rather weak this Summer — feels the 
effects of the climate, which, since the first of June, has 
been extremely warm." 

In March, 1853, Mrs. Wiley writes again: "For several 
months past the doctor has not been so well, sometimes 
rather poorly, the effect of his severe attack of dysentery 
and the. climate together. The climate has never agreed 
with him. There are but few who can endure it long. 
During the Winter we have lost two families, the John- 
sons and Whites, both of whom left on account of sickness." 

Those were, indeed, years of sickness and dying to the 
infant missions! The first Mrs. White contracted a slight 
cold in the Autumn of 1847, which, added to the exhausting 



MISSION LIKE). 37 

atmosphere of a new climate, re-enforced by a damp, chilly 
Winter, brought on a disease of the lungs, which carried her 
rapidly to the grave. .In May, 1848, she died, and was the 
first to be laid in the "Mission Cemetery," after eight 
months of sick life in heathendom. In April, 1851, Col- 
lins left, reaching his Michigan home in September, " so wan, 
wasted, and broken, that his parents could hardly recog- 
nize the son that had left them, in stalwart health, four 
years before." The Hickoks were compelled to retire from 
the field after a year of sickness and feebleness in it 
(1848-9). In February, 1850, Dr. White was sick with 
fever, and feeble till September. In 1852, he and his (sec- 
ond) wife found the only chance of saving life was to leave 
Foochow, and by midsummer, 1853, they were in the 
United States. 

In April, 1853, Mrs. Wiley writes: "While you have 
had a dreary March, the weather here has been beautiful — 
much like a pleasant, mild May with you; leaves green, 
flowers in bloom. I have been making garden — planting 
some American and English seeds, which kind friends gave 
us. The beets are up nicely. The doctor is engaged re- 
pairing the house on the island to be nearer the people, as 
well as to escape thieves and burglars, who break through 
our walls and steal, necessitating the employment of a 
watchman to protect our premises by night. 

" His first professional duties are to attend the sick of our 
own and the American Board Mission ; next, he is to labor 
for the souls and bodies of the heathen. He has done much 
toward healing their bodies, as well as toward healing their 
sinful hearts. He has under his charge a school of boys, 
twenty-nine in number, with whom he daily sings, prays, 
explains the Scriptures, and teaches the true religion — all, 
of course, in Chinese. 

"He is toiling on at the language. One must study 



38 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

hard to get this dialect. Even a little knowledge is ac- 
quired only at the price of much hard study. Children 
learn it easily — Adah and Annie chatter in English and 
Chinese with equal facility." 

In the Spring of 1853, the Tai-ping rebels threatened 
the city; the rabble became restless and turbulent, and the 
mandarins warned foreigners that they must look out for 
themselves. In May, the only other two families of the 
Methodist Mission sought safety in Hongkong; while, as 
Dr. White puts it, " Dr. Wiley entitled himself to the grat- 
itude of the Church for standing by the mission," and cour- 
ageously declining to leave his post whatever might betide. 

Deserted by their only white neighbors on Mirror Hill, 
adjoining the olive orchard, they deemed it prudent to leave 
a situation so lonely and exposed to thieves and burglars, 
and removed to the vacant house owned by the mission sit- 
uated on the little thickly populated island in the middle of 
the river. Two separate trips by boat, down the river, for 
change and sea-air, were rather disastrous than helpful. In 
one of these they were caught in a typhoon, and exposed 
for over a week to all the fury of the raging hurricane, 
housed under the close-matting roof of a native " sanpan," 
or row-boat. 

Dr. and Mrs. Wiley both suffered severely from the 
effects of this exposure. His health failed rapidly, and 
both were confined, most of the time, during August and 
September, to their beds. They determined to leave Foo- 
chow for a trip by sea in quest of health, but Mrs. Wiley 
was too far gone to attempt it — her malady marched stead- 
ily toward a fatal termination. In mid-October she gave 
premature birth to an infant, and, two weeks later, was in 
a dying condition. November 3d, the invalid husband was 
left in charge of two motherless girls, both infants, more 
than sixteen thousand miles from home and friends. That 



MISSION LIKE. 39 

he had his heart and hands full during the rest of that 
lonely, dreary Winter may be well believed. This is a sad 
chapter in the life of Dr. Wiley. We are led to inquire, 
what compensation Divine Providence offered for such a 
tissue of trials and misfortunes. 

In 1858, thirty-six male and female missionaries had 
been sent to Foochow, of whom ten had died and thirteen 
were compelled to retire — leaving only thirteen still con- 
nected with the three missions. It was the experimental 
period. Dr. Wiley says of it : " The fact that so many have 
fallen, and others, under broken health, have been forced 
to retire, while it presents a mournful chapter in the history 
of missions at Foochow, is no real cause for discouragement, 
nor does it evidence the ineligibility of this city as a mission- 
ary station. Perhaps the proportion of fallen missionaries 
here does not surpass that of other new and untried mission- 
fields; and we must remember that, though other parts of 
China had been occupied several years by missionaries and 
foreign residents, Foochow was entirely unknown, and pre- 
sented all the hazards and difficulties of a new and untried 
field. We knew not what articles of clothing, furniture, or 
food might be procured ; and, for want of such information, 
had, in many instances, to endure grave disappointments and 
serious privations. We had no homes. Rude, temporary 
shelter had to be provided, wholly unadapted to the wants 
of foreign residents in a new and inhospitable climate — 
months and years had to pass before the prejudices of the 
people were so far removed as to allow us to build comfort- 
able houses. We met, first of all, the labor of acquiring a 
new language, about which no foreigner knew any thing — 
toward which no books from other parts of China would be 
of any service, and for which no teacher could be provided 
who knew or could speak a word of English. We were in 
the midst of a new climate, new scenes, new modes of life — 



40 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

to all of which we must learn to accustom ourselves, while, 
at the same time, meeting grave obstacles and performing 
gigantic labors. It is no wonder that so many fell. They 
fell, however, bearing the banner of the Great King in the 
forefront of the Lord's host." 

Collins, in 1849, when about commencing to build the 
house at the olive orchard, occupied by the Wileys after his 
departure, and subsequently pulled down by the writer to 
make way for the comfortable brick edifice which now occu- 
pies the same spot, writes thus: "Chinese houses are mostly 
shiftless affairs. I have never seen one in which it would 
be prudent for a foreigner to live continuously without re- 
fitting and repairs. The roof will be leaking, and the 
timbers will be nests for white ants and cockroaches." 

During a part of the year 1852, Dr. Wiley and family 
were crowded into the small olive-orchard bungalow along 
with the Colders, because the latter could effect no purchase 
of grounds, on which to build, from the reluctant natives. 
Of those years of privation and discomfort Dr. White 
writes: "In the Spring of 1848, Hickok and Maclay (the 
first re-enforcement) arrived at Foochow — bringing no 
money with them, or only a trifle, and the whole mission 
was on short allowance till the next December, and all 
crowded into one house ! I could tell of some hard times 
during these six months — but the period was one of blessed 
experience of the presence and power of God to bless and 
sustain." 

Dr. Wiley's part in this pioneer work, this breaking up 
of a virgin soil for subsequent fruitful and productive till- 
age, was an important one. Although unable to preach in 
the Fo-ke-en tongue, he nevertheless bore a more influential 
title among the natives than that of a Gospel minister. He 
was a physician ; and the ignorant Chinese, like the ignorant 
and uninstructed in all countries, had implicit faith in doc- 



MISSION LIFE. 41 

tors. Hospitals, dispensaries, and practicing physicians have 
played an important part in modern missions. 

Eternity alone will reveal the influence which the brief 
labors of Doctor Wiley among the natives of Foochow had 
in the work that sprang up in that mission a few years after 
his departure from it, and which has steadily progressed to 
the present hour. The Missionary Advocates of that period 
(1851 to 1854) contain frequent references to him and his 
work, and from these we glean such items as will interest 
readers at this distance of time and space from the scene of 
action. 

No sooner had he reached Hongkong than his quick eye 
discerned the needs of the future work, which he mentioned 
in communications, on type and alphabetizing, sent to Dr. D. 
W. Clark, and Dr. Geo. Peck, then editor of the Christian 
Advocate. His " voyage has been prosperous and rapid." 
He is " kindly received by the Baptist missionaries at Vic- 
toria." He sees that " the first thing to do is to remove the 
apprehensions of the Chinese, generated by the recent wars, 
and to gain their confidence." 

October 4, 1851. "Health unaffected by the climate." 
" Could not be induced by any consideration to abandon 
China now." " The best way to develop a missionary spirit 
is to dwell in heathendom." "We can not learn China from 
books; we must see it to know what it is." "There is every 
thing here that human wretchedness, ignorance, and de- 
pravity can present to enlist the sympathies, the prayers, the 
contributions of the pious and benevolent of Christian 
lands." He attends dispensary twice a week; Dr. White 
assists, interpreting and aiding. They have fifty patients a 
day, and twenty-five or thirty receive substantial aid. 

January 8, 1852. "All well in the mission. Mrs. Wiley 
has been ill, but is now convalescent." 

February 5, 1852. There have been two hundred dis- 



42 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

pensary cases — boatmen, citizens, male and female. A blind 
man from the country, living some three hundred miles in 
the interior, comes to have a cataract removed. The oper- 
ation for the right eye was successfully performed, and he 
insists on having the obstruction removed from the other. 
This restoring sight to the blind by surgical instruments is 
astonishing to the natives, and gives them a high idea of for- 
eign science and skill. 

February 7th chronicles an interesting case. A widowed 
mother brings a blind boy, her son, fifteen years old, to be 
cured of cataract. The operation for the right eye was per- 
fectly successful ; and, when the bandages were removed, 
the little fellow could see but could not tell objects or dis- 
tances by sight. "When I showed him my watch he' could 
not tell what it was till it was put into his hands, and he 
recognized it by feeling as formerly. When I bade him 
walk across the room he did so, and would have walked 
right into the fire but for a hindering hand. I bade him 
come to me, and he came square against me by not being 
able to calculate the distance of objects from him by his 
newly recovered sense of vision." Dr. Wiley concludes the 
interesting pathological record with the reflection : " O ! that 
the Physician of souls would restore spiritual sight to 
mother and son, that they may be able to see the marvelous 
beauties that our blessed Savior has provided for them that 
love him." 

March 13, 1852, is the anniversary of their embarkation, 
and he signalizes it by commencing, in a feeble way, to hold 
religious services with the Chinese in his own family circle. 
" For some time," he says, " I have been engaged with my 
teacher in preparing the Gospel of John, so that I could 
read it. This evening the teacher read a portion of the 
first chapter in the character, and explained it in the collo- 
quial, while I endeavored to tell the nature of the book. 



MISSION IvIFB. 43 

We sang the Doxology in Chinese, and I repeated the Lord's 
Prayer, tremblingly." 

March 20th. " Had a talk with my teacher about Amer- 
ica. Have felt a deep and prayerful interest in this intelli- 
gent heathen man, who has been connected with the missions 
for two or three years as a teacher. He manifests great 
interest in our books and religion. If God would give me 
this one soul for my hire, I should be abundantly rewarded 
for coming to China." 

May 1st and 3d. The medical department has been 
seriously interfered with by the continued rains peculiar to 
the season. 

June 5th. "We are only pioneers in this blessed work, 
and must expect much conflict with the superstitions and 
darkness by which we are surrounded. These wretched 
idolaters seem determined to cast the Word of God away 
from them." 

August, 1852. Dr. Wiley has been "engaged in repairs 
on his house, but has attended to all calls at home from those 
desiring medical treatment." 

In November, 1852, the mission has three residences, 
called by courtesy " houses " — but really tumble-down 
bungalows, rudely made by Chinese carpenters, of timbers 
stuck upright on flat stones, and covered with bamboo and 
plastering. In December, the boys' school, inaugurated by 
Brother Colder, was transferred to the care of Dr. Wiley; 
and he and his wife took into their family two promising 
Chinese youths, apprenticed for six years, to learn the 
English, and be otherwise educated. 

In April, 1853, the quarterly report shows that Dr. 
Wiley is still in charge of the boys' school, though still 
troubled with pains in the bowels — the relics of his very 
severe illness with dysentery the Fall before. He has twenty- 
six boys in his list; and twenty in daily attendance, who, 
4 



44 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

in addition to learning their own language, receive daily 
instruction in the Christian Scriptures, and join in daily 
services of prayer and praise. 

May 4th Dr. Wiley writes: "I find the boys' school 
under my care to be delightful work. It is pleasant to 
watch over and direct the studies of these intelligent and 
bright Chinese youth. The school has increased rapidly 
during the past three months, and now numbers thirty-two 
scholars, with an average daily attendance of twenty-six. I 
visit them daily, and spend one hour in listening to their exer- 
cises and catechising them. Their progress is wonderful — 
their understanding of Christian doctrines intelligent and 
comprehensive. 

"On Sunday we give an hour to the catechism, and it 
is intensely gratifying to watch the advancement of these 
boys in holy things. They commit portions of the Scrip- 
ture to memory; and, to aid them in understanding it, I 
have prepared a map of Palestine, to be hung on the wall 
of the school-room." 

Mrs. Wiley's decease, November 3, 1853, rendered Dr. 
Wiley's further stay in Foochow, with his helpless infant 
daughters, impossible, and, on the 16th January, 1854, they 
embarked for the United States, in the Houqua, the same 
vessel that brought the refugees of the Tai-ping scare from 
Hongkong in the previous December. 

How fruitful in actual results his connection with the 
Foochow Mission may have been we shall never know in 
this world. The Church in America was stirred by his 
numerous articles, and a countless number of missionary ad- 
dresses, on all sorts of occasions and all styles of platform, 
flavored, if not directly inspired, by China and Foochow. 
One of my own immediate clerical friends and confreres 
said to me, recently : " One of the most interesting addresses 
I ever listened to was that of Bishop Wiley at the missionary 



mission lif\e;. 45 

anniversary of the Troy Conference, at its session in Glen's 
Falls, April, 1881, made up mainly of his China experiences." 
At a missionary conference in Pittsburg, in 1873, Bishop 
Wiley said, of his days of darkness and bereavement in 
Foochow: "Brethren, it is with sorrow and joy that I recall 
those days. Sorrow, that I should have had a cup so bitter; 
joy, that I and those that I loved and lost should have had 
some part in the healing of the nations." 

It was three and a half years after Dr. Wiley left, and 
ten years from the inauguration of the mission, before a 
single convert was baptized. Interesting dates! Mission 
founded in 1847; first accession of converts in 1857; or- 
ganization of the Foochow Mission into an Annual Confer- 
ence by Bishop Wiley in 1877. 

The growth of the Foochow Mission is unprecedented 
in the history of China missions. There has been no sud- 
den turning over of a whole people to Christian faith and 
usages, but a regular and substantial progress and increase 
from the first conversion to the present time. 

Dr. Wiley had a hand in the seed-sowing, but saw not a 
single sprout of the grain — he left in 1854. He returned 
in 1877, as a commissioned officer of the Church, to organ- 
ize an annual conference with thirty-four traveling and 
sixty local preachers, twelve hundred and thirty-five lay 
members and seven hundred and seventy-six probationers, 
reporting, for that year, over a thousand dollars for benevo- 
lent collections, from a membership of laborers whose aver- 
age of wages is ten cents a day ! 

Seven years later, Bishop Wiley returns to Foochow 
to preach to this same conference the most powerful sermon 
that can possibly be preached by mortal, that of a Chris- 
tian's death-bed! It is said that, after the adjournment of 
the General Conference, May, 1884, he coveted assignment 
to the work in Eastern Asia; and, when it was intimated 



46 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

that the trip and climate might cost him his life, he replied : 
"Foochow is as good a place to go to heaven from as any 
other on the face of the globe." 

August following he organized the Japan Mission into 
an Annual Conference; and, in October, directed the doings 
of the Pekin Mission from a sick chamber. Once, and once 
only, sustained by his own peculiarly self-masterful will, he 
visited the conference room and addressed the assembled 
body — China was his theme. 

" He spoke of his life-interest in this work, and his labor 
and love for it; of his great desire to see his brethren in 
China once more before he went to heaven. He dwelt, for 
a moment, on the vastness of the country, the magnitude 
and difficulties of the work, and the certainty of final 
triumph." 

Then follows a most pathetic, we might add prophetic, 
allusion to himself: "Now, brethren, my little part in this 
work is about done. The end is now at hand; but it is no 
matter, I am ready. If I can get down to Central China 
(Kiu-Kiang) and arrange matters there, and then reach Foo- 
chow and hold the conference, if it is God's will, I can lay 
down my life and sleep quietly where I began this work 
thirty-four years ago." What eye has not moistened over the 
printed words that so moved the little missionary band at 
Pekin that there was "not a dry eye in the house" while 
they were being spoken? 

Bishop Wiley could not ascend the Yang-tse-Kiang, five 
hundred miles, to meet the Central China Mission, in his 
feeble condition. So they brought the mission to Shanghai, 
and transacted its business in the parlor of that prince of 
missionaries, Dr. Lambuth, of the Church South, a young 
man when I knew him and shared the hospitalities of his 
house nearly thirty years ago, but a veteran now. 

Thence the sick bishop made his way southward, care- 



MISSION LIKE. 47 

fully attended, to the long wished-for goal of his dying 
desire, Foochow — his feebly pulsating heart to be fluttered 
with pleasurable excitement for the last time at the sight of 
the White Dogs, and Sharp Peak, Kinpai, and Min-gan 
passes, and the unique pagoda, with its broad river anchor- 
age, the scene of the bloody butchery of August last, which 
he himself denounced as on "a parallel with the Spanish 
and Portuguese brigandage of three centuries ago;" the 
trip by "sanpan," or house-boat, up the remaining ten 
miles, in sight of the blue hills, the green fields, the bam- 
boos, the banyans, the circling mountains, lofty Kooshan 
(drum-mountain) on the east, loveliest of resorts for invalids 
and worn spirits, Ke-shan (flag-mountain) in the west, Nip- 
ple mountain in the north, and Tiger hills in the south. 
In the very center of this circle of eternal hills he had 
come to make his grave. 

Lifted from the boat to a sedan-chair, how natural it 
seemed to be borne on the springing poles resting on the 
shoulders of lusty, sure-footed bearers, to thread his way 
from the landing-place through the babel of a Chinese 
street, where he used to distribute Christian books, and lisp 
Christian doctrines in uncouth colloquial, strange to every 
other visiting official, but natural as life to him. He climbs 
once more the rocky pathway that leads to the summit of 
the ridge, passes, with a wistful glance, the gateway that 
opens upon his once olive-orchard home, and, two doors 
from it, enters the house of the superintendent of the mis- 
sion, built, twenty-five years ago, for the occupancy of the 
now well-known Chinese missionary, Dr. O. Gibson. He 
exclaims, as he enters the gate, " Home at last !" tells the 
mistress of the mansion that he comes, not now as a guest 
to be entertained, but as a patient to be nursed — takes to 
his bed (November 6th) to rise no more till the general res- 
urrection of the last day. 



48 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

At the adjournment of General Conference, in May, 
1884, Bishop Wiley made the last prayer, and Bishop 
Simpson the last address, crowned with a loving, sacred 
benediction. They were the first of its superintendents to 
be called to their reward — Simpson on the 21st of June, and 
Wiley on the 22d of November, exactly five months later. 
How different the circumstances of their exit! — the one in 
cultured Philadelphia, the other in heathen Foochow; the 
one coffined in cedar and satin and velvet and gold, resting 
under a canopy supported by columns of polished mahogany, 
the other in a rude box made by a Chinese mechanic, no 
canopy, no tolling knell, no hearse with nodding plumes, 
no long procession of Church officials and dignitaries, no 
funeral orations of eloquent divines! A simple funeral in 
a little mission church, participated in by gray-haired mis- 
sionaries, C. C. Baldwin and C. Hartwell, of the American 
Board, fellow workers with Dr. Wiley in the field, a gener- 
ation ago, cheered by the catholicity of the Church of Eng- 
land Bishop Burden, the tribute of high-Church exclusive- 
ness to heroism, self-sacrifice, manly worth, and piety. Native 
preachers robed in white, the Chinese color for mourning, 
beg the privilege of bearing the remains of their beloved 
" kantoke" (overseer) to the grave; and the procession wends 
its way through narrow lanes, and along straggling path- 
ways, over scores of hillocks, whose little granite head- 
stones, chiseled full of hieroglyphics, indicate the shallow 
resting places of dead natives, to the open grave under the 
pines, olives, and longans, where Isaac William Wiley is 
laid beside Francis J. Martin, the companion of his youth, 
to bind forever the heart of the Church to the Mission 
Cemetery at Foochow. 

By the aid of the friendly telegraph, the whole bereaved 
Methodist family crowded around the death-bed of Mat- 
thew Simpson, joined the imposing procession to the rural 



MISSION LIFE. 49 

cemetery, and cast sprigs of myrtle upon his coffin. Simi- 
larly, we visit the grave of the beloved Wiley with tokens 
of love and affection. We recall, vividly, the last moments, 
stand with bowed heads under a semi-tropical sun and 
listen to the burial service, rendered more pathetically im- 
pressive by the rain of tears from the dusky cloud of Chris- 
tian converts in the outer circle. By spiritual telephone, 
we listen to the words (the tenth beatitude), "Blessed are 
the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : yea, saith 
the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors." 

The tired Wiley "rests" at last. He has fought a "hard 
fight — not much pleasure, not much joy, a great deal of 
work, with much peace." One of his reported death-bed 
expressions was, "Now, let me rest." The reply of our 
hearts is : 

Eest ! weary head ! 
Laid down to slumber in the peaceful tomb, 
Light from above hath broken through its gloom: 
Here, in the place where once the Savior lay — 
Where he shall wake thee on a future day — 
Like a tired child, upon its mother's breast, 
Eest ! sweetly rest ! 

Eest! spirit free! 
In the green pastures of the heavenly shore, 
Where toil and sorrow can approach no more, 
With all the flock, by the Good Shepherd fed— 
Beside the streams of life-eternal led — 
Forever with thy God and Savior blest, 

Eest! sweetly rest! 



1>^ Hmusrsal f &&♦ 

(A Favorite Poem of Bishop Wiley.) 




H E world wants men — light-hearted, manly men : 
^ Men who shall join its chorus, and prolong 
The psalm of labor and the song of love. 



The times wants scholars — scholars who shall shape 
The doubtful destinies of dubious years, 
jk And land the ark that bears our country's good 
Safe to some peaceful Ararat at last. 

The age wants heroes — heroes who shall dare 

To struggle in the solid ranks of truth ; 

To clutch the monster, Error, by the throat; 

To bear opinion to a loftier seat; 

To blot the era of oppression out, 

And lead a universal freedom in. 

And heaven wants souls — fresh and capacious souls, 
To taste its raptures, and expand like flowers 
Beneath the glory of its Central Sun. 
It wants fresh souls — not lean and shriveled ones; 
It wants fresh souls — my brother, give it thine. 

If thou, indeed, wilt act as man should act; 
If thou, indeed, wilt be what scholars should; 
If thou wilt be a hero, and wilt strive 
To help thy fellow and exalt thyself, 
Thy feet at last shall stand on jasper flowers, 
Thy heart at last shall seem a thousand hearts, 
Each single heart with myriad raptures filled — 
Whilst thou shalt sit with princes, and with kings, 
Rich in the jewel of a ransoned soul. 

50 ANSON G. CHESTER. 



-—^^^^|#^v^^— 



III. 

THE EBUGR70R. 



WILLIAM V. KELLEY, D. D. 

ji|N middle New Jersey, in the county named for the gal- 
n lant General Mercer, who fell at the battle of Princeton, 
L in the plain country called by the State geologist the 
Y Red Sandstone Valley, a healthful region of gently 
\ undulating farm-lands, with a fertile, reddish soil, is the 
secluded village of Pennington, eight miles north from 
Trenton state-house. Railroads and recent years have brought 
to it a somewhat larger growth ; but in the days of which we 
write it was a few hundred Avell-painted, unpretending 
houses, built on two shaded streets — a simple harmony of 
white and green set in a peaceful, prosperous, and pleasant 
land. There was very little business in the place — no bank, 
two or three country stores, a drug-store kept by that faith- 
ful friend of religion and education, Mr. Ripley T. Martin, 
two churches (Presbyterian and Methodist), two taverns, two 
doctors, one lawyer, and one ice-cream shop kept by the 
perennial and renowned firm of Uncle & Aunty Tindal. 
Yet this small village was not without wide-spread and 
most honorable fame. Its light shone farther than many a 
city set on a hill. Its distinction was not the dusty din of 
traffic, but the training of immortal minds that should go 
out and write themselves upon the world. It could boast 

51 



52 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

that, probably, no other place in the land was so much an 
educational center. In this sweet and cleanly village were 
more seminaries than churches, taverns, or doctors, and its 
distinguishing work was as fair to the imagination as its ap- 
pearance and environment were to the eye. 

A pretty rural picture it made from the half-wooded 
slope of Bennington Mountain, an elevation somewhat higher 
than any of the seven hills of Rome, two miles north, 
whither students loved to stroll on Saturday afternoons, 
where hickory-trees dropped nuts, and at the base the old 
farmer, too much soaked with his own apple-jack, operated 
a cider-press and a still, which w 7 as coiled like a serpent and 
trickled the poison that "stingeth like an adder." Three- 
quarters of a mile east of the village, Stony Brook, on its way 
to the Raritan and Sandy Hook, bends a coaxing elbow 
toward Pennington, inviting successive generations of boys 
with the mild attractions of fishing, swimming, and skating, 
and offering its arm to many a bright bevy of school- 
girls for a stroll through beech woods, where squirrels chirp 
and shy birds flit, violets and May-apples grow, and deep- 
piled mosses spread their velvet-tufted fairy-flowered ax- 
minster, across which flickers now and then a harmless little 
snake, starting a maiden's scream. Six miles west, wmere 
the Delaware goes by on its way to meet the embassage and 
escort of the sea at the near tide-water, is the famous and 
oft-pictured point at which Washington crossed the river 
through the ice on Christmas-night, 1776, to strike the Hes- 
sians at Trenton. Thither young men, who counted them- 
selves " stout w r alkers," as guide-books say, made occasional 
excursions on Summer half-holidays, and mused along the 
river-bank of Pater Patrice, debating why his smooth and 
placid character should cast the undiminished shadow of its 
greatness down so far. While they rested for return, out- 
stretched upon the grass among the willows and alders near 



THE EDUCATOR. 53 

Washington's Crossing, there hovered as in the sky above 
young minds this image and object-lesson of true nobleness 
and just renown. 

Pennington had three literary institutions, a boarding- 
school managed by A. P. Lasher, Methodist; "Evergreen 
Hall," a ladies' school, Presbyterian, in charge of the Misses 
Hale, sisters of Dr. Hale, many years pastor of the local 
Presbyterian Church; but its chief distinction and ornament 
was and is the New Jersey Conference Seminary and 
Female Collegiate Institute, its white cupola visible 
afar, opened in 1839, and continuing since then in an un- 
broken career of expanding influence and incalculable 
usefulness. The present principal, Dr. Thomas Hanlon, 
reports that the seminary has aided in the education of over 
five hundred ministers, averaging twelve annually for its 
first thirty years, and seventeen a year for the last fifteen — 
and that not less than six thousand students have been 
taught in its halls. It has furnished missionaries to India, 
China, Japan, Mexico, and other lands, and sent out two 
in Bishop William Taylor's intrepid band, that sailed from 
New York, January 22, 1885, destined for the Tushilange 
country in Central Africa. 

The first principal of this institution was Dr. Edward 
Cooke, who remained seven years, and was afterward presi- 
dent of the university at Appleton, Wisconsin, of the sem- 
inary at Wilbraham, and of Claflin University, at Orange- 
burg, South Carolina. The second principal was Dr. 
Stephen M. Vail, who was taken away at the end of two 
years to be professor of Hebrew, at Concord, New Hamp- 
shire. The third was Dr. Jonathan T. Crane, who held the 
place nine years, and then returned to pastoral work in the 
Newark Conference. To the principalship, as Dr. Crane's 
successor, came, in 1858, Rev. Isaac William Wiley, M. D. 
The manner of his coming was as follows : The trustees 



54 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

had become much dissatisfied with the condition of the sem- 
inary. So heavily embarrassed was it, that a change of 
management was imperatively necessary. The principal, at 
a fixed salary, was not sufficiently interested in the prosper- 
ity of the finances. The responsibility for this must be 
laid on his shoulders, and he be made to fare as the insti- 
tution fared. Dr. Crane's refusal to accept the new plan 
compelled them to seek another principal. Drs. Jno. S. Por- 
ter and Geo. F. Brown were a committee to find a man. 
Dr. Porter meeting Dr. Wiley, then pastor of Trinity Church, 
Jersey City, in a New York street-car, laid the matter be- 
fore him. Later consultations resulted in his acceptance 
and election. The plan agreed upon was that he should 
run the seminary himself, manage finances, pay all ex- 
penses, take a small allowance for his own support, pay the 
trustees a thousand dollars a year toward interest upon the 
debt, and any thing over should be divided between trustees 
and principal according to terms named in the contract. 
The young man of thirty-three, lately back from four years 
in China, w T ith little working experience in this country, 
was courageous enough to take on such terms an institution 
that was falling grievously behind and perilously embar- 
rassed. It is enough to say briefly that he entirely suc- 
ceeded. Putting under the seminary what little money he 
possessed, taking from the treasury but a small amount for 
his own use, helping out the support of his family by sup- 
plying the pulpit at Princeton in 1860-61, and of State 
Street, Trenton, in 1862-63, he completely satisfied the trus- 
tees by his consummate management — more than doubled 
the attendance, elevated the tone and character of the school 
in all respects, and made it a far greater power for good 
than it had ever been. 

The year 1858, when Dr. Wiley began his work at Pen- 
nington, was before railroads had approached nearer than 



THE EDUCATOR.. 55 

Trenton, eight miles away by turnpike. "Uncle Amos" 
Lanning still drove the stage ; and in the morning, between 
breakfast and prayers, his quaint, slim figure would be seen 
coming across from his little house on the far border of the 
campus. Walking along the seminary front he would call 
out under the windows of the ladies' side : " Wake up your 
eye-brows, you pretty birds, you ! All aboard for Trenton !" 
his lively, cheery cry ending with a queer half-chirp, half- 
cluck, that was all his own, while the stage stood ready 
at the platform outside the gate at the foot of the walk. 
Pleasant enough was the stage-ride in Summer; but what 
a " slough of despond " the turnpike was in the breaking up 
of Winter ! The chariot " drave heavily," as if the wheels 
were off in that Red Sea of sandstone mud ; and life seemed 
too short for spending so much time on the road between 
any two places. Dr. Wiley came in the days when good- 
natured Irish Katy, who waited Qn table in the dining-room 
for twenty-eight years, beginning in 1852, was in her compara- 
tive youth, with no signs of the coming of that penniless and 
palsied age in which her faithful service has now ended. He 
came before the days of water-supply in the building. Heating 
by furnace had just been arranged in place of wood-stoves 
that had occupied every room. The boys no longer had to 
carry up wood and make and tend their own fires, but were 
still obliged to bring all the water they used. A partial source 
of supply for the institution was the well in the rear corner 
of the campus near the old wood-pile ; but often the water- 
wagon was seen making regular trips to bring from a dis- 
tance a supply for the kitchen, laundry, and ladies' side of 
the house. Often in the early morning or cooling evening 
dusk of Summer days, the boys, by ones, twos, and half- 
dozens, went swinging their buckets through the back gate 
down the meadow path to the bubbling spring at the foot 
of the field, which poured its sweet waters under the shade 



56 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

of wild rose-bushes at the base of the large-leaved, wide- 
branched sycamore-tree, whose inviting bark, high up and low 
down, had been a register of students' names since Penning- 
ton first had a seminary. 

With the advent of Dr. Wiley the institution took on 
fresh life and energy — due not only to the truth phrased in 
the " new broom " adage, but to the presence of a man of 
rare quality and great power. He surrounded himself with 
admirable coadjutors in his faculty. There was Joshua A. 
Lippincott giving the earlier development to those fine 
teaching powers which afterward made him principal of the 
State Normal School, mathematical professor in Dickinson 
College, and now chancellor of the University of Kansas. 
Besides mathematics, he drilled German into students so 
that some of them have not been able to forget it all in a 
quarter of a century. There was Geo. B. Day teaching Latin 
and Greek, fascinating scholars with the studies and with 
himself— genial, sunny, healthy — free from the bitter shadow 
which, to the pain of many who loved him, fell on his 
thinking in after years. On June mornings he might have 
been seen sitting, about sunrise, on the steps of the Alpha 
Omega Hall, helping a Csesar-class of boys translate the 
Commentaries. He it was who once said to a student: 
" Charles, one of your troubles is that you have such a pow- 
erful Won't." There was Daniel Clarke Knowles, of Wes- 
leyan University class of 1858, who succeeded Day in 1860, 
and taught ancient languages ably (giving his Latin scholars 
valuable exercise in rhetorical English by making them 
anglicize freely Cicero's orations after first requiring literal 
translation) until the war carried him to the army as cap- 
tain of Company D, " the Die-no-mores " of Colonel Perry's 
Forty-eighth New York Regiment; from which he returned 
to be, for three years, Dr. Wiley's successor in the princi- 
palship. On the ladies' side, Miss Hattie Barlow was pre- 



THE EDUCATOR. 57 

ceptress, and Miss Mary Sovereign teacher of music, until 
succeeded by Professor Powell. 

Although the entire financial management, as well as 
government, of the seminary was upon him, Dr. Wiley did 
not confine himself to these — but engaged with great energy 
in the work of instruction, doing a large amount of teach- 
ing — and in this he excelled. A valedictorian of twenty- 
five years ago writes: "I never saw his equal as a teacher, 
except Thompson H. Landon." He made the recitation- 
room a fascinating place (especially to the maturer scholars), 
kindled a lively enthusiasm, and compelled even dullest 
minds to share the interest. Often his classes were loath to 
have the lesson end with the hour; and he was sometimes 
obliged at the request of the class to give them, in geology 
for instance, a double session. His wonderful ability to ex- 
cite and rivet attention and his gift of lucid explanation 
insured rapid acquisition of knowledge by his students, yet 
thoroughness rather than rapidity was the aim. He was de- 
termined the class should understand whatever they went 
over — insisting on it even in Butler's Analogy — reviewing, 
explaining, and drilling persistently, refusing to leave one 
chapter for the next until each scholar seemed to master 
every step and comprehend the argument. On the class in 
political economy he spent great pains, clarifying and 
giving practical elucidation to the principles of that uncer- 
tain science. His perfect clearness, patience, unfailing help- 
fulness, genius for illustration and exhaustive thoroughness, 
made him an extraordinary instructor. 

In the first year of the new principal a report gained 
circulation on the ladies' side of the house that Dr. Wiley 
did not regard girls as equal mentally to boys. This aroused 
a competition so hot and long continued, as to draw the 
attention of the faculty and even of persons outside the 
seminary. It was known that a struggle was going on in 



58 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

all the more advanced classes. After a while the ladies 
understood that they had convinced the principal of their 
equality in every thing except mathematics. Then the con- 
test centered upon algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, 
and grew so earnest that the class-rooms were frequented by 
visitors interested in the strife — Dr. Wiley being the closest 
observer of these Olympic Games of the mind. Examina- 
tions finally decided this spirited and ambitious contest, and 
the principal, proud and delighted at the pluck and ability 
of his girls, conceded them their victory. 

From the time he was elected to Pennington he gave 
especial attention to young men who felt called to the 
ministry, endeavoring to prevent them from entering the 
work without the completest preparation their circumstances 
would permit. A considerable number of these he gathered 
into the seminary — interceding sometimes in the case of 
poor young men with their well-to-do friends to help them, 
and in other cases trusting the honor of students to pay 
when they could. He extemporized a Divinity School, 
marking out a two-years' course especially for these young 
theologians, the schedule of which, still preserved by them 
in his own handwriting, includes English Composition, 
Physiology, Intellectual Philosophy, Logic, Geology, Moral 
Science, Natural and Revealed Theology, Butler's Analogy, 
Evidences of Christianity, Church History, Hebrew, and the 
Discipline — all these being taught by himself; the other 
studies of this course, as Latin, Greek, Astronomy, and 
Rhetoric, being received from other members of the faculty. 
In addition, he met his young ministers weekly on Tuesday 
evenings, sometimes lecturing to them on Bible Doctrines, 
on Preaching, Peculiarities of Methodism, Pastoral Work, 
or other important subjects — inviting questions on any point 
not plain to them; sometimes requiring them to present 
sermons, essays, exercises in Scripture exposition, or formal 



THE EDUCATOR. 59 

debates on designated topics. At other times the evening 
was spent in free conversation led on by questions, in 
which he seemed less like a tutor than like a father giving, 
with parental solicitude, all possible aid and counsel to his 
sons who were to follow in his footsteps in the Master's 
holy work. The whole power of the man was exerted upon 
them for their help — his spirit was poured into them, and, 
under God, their ministry has borne his stamp. 

Not without educative and exemplary influence was the 
spectacle of a beautiful home-life, largely visible to the stu- 
dents — the principal's family dwelling in apartments in the 
east end of the building, and eating at the seminary table. 
One of his pastors writes that no man was ever more lova- 
ble than Dr. Wiley in his hours of rest in the society of his 
family, with his little ones climbing his knees and clingiug 
about his neck. His students recall distinctly the family 
group of which he was the center — at his side a gentle little 
wife, around him the children, two when he came to Pen- 
nington, five when he left. The two oldest were graceful, 
fair-complexioned, flaxen-haired girls. Adah, the first, then 
a slender maiden, 

" Standing, with reluctant feet, 
Where the brook and river meet, 
"Womanhood and childhood fleet," 

was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and, when two years 
old, was buffeted over seas in her mother's arms to China. 
She remembers the long return voyage, four years after, 
when the sick and desolate missionary, broken in heart and 
in health, brought his two nestlings away from their moth- 
er's grave at Foochow to save their lives and his own. 
Into her childish heart sank, beyond possibility of forget- 
ting, even the weary, discouraged look of her father's face 
during that lonely voyage, as he tried, through the tedious 
days, to amuse his toddling baby and to restrain the wild, 



60 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

venturesome little girl, who wanted to climb the masts with 
the captain's son and run loose over every part of the 
ship — the captain's wife aiding him out of her woman's pity 
for the "mitherless bairnies." She remembers the terrible 
night when, the ship being on a reef, Captain Dixie tied 
the three children (his own son Howard, and Adah Wiley 
with her wee sister), fast in one of the life-boats, which was 
then swung over the side of the vessel, Dr. Wiley leaning 
down to watch them and every few minutes calling to them 
" All right?" This first born daughter remembers how, 
when the American coast was sighted, her father lifted her 
and her sister in his arms and said: "That is home, my 
little girls." These memories which she and he shared alone 
between them made a bond of tender closeness, deepening 
in her a passionate love for him — and these experiences 
mingled their colors in the shading of her life, for she was 
not so young but that motherlessness and homelessness, a 
desolate father's sad look and tone, and the wild fury of 
ocean storms, made such impression on her as gave maturity 
and seriousness beyond her years, so that she grew to close 
companionship with him, the two reading together such a 
book as " Whedon on the Will " in her sixteenth year. The 
next daughter, Anna, was the " little Chinese girl," as people 
called her, born in the Celestial Empire beside the River 
Min, and sprinkled like her older sister with the early bap- 
tism of a widowed father's tears and the salt Pacific spray; 
but she was too young to realize or remember. These two 
sea-blown girls were the dear legacy of the brave-souied 
missionary-mother, whose dust lay under the olive-trees on 
the opposite side of the globe. Below them, in the sem- 
inary home-circle, were three Pennington-born prattlers — 
first, Charlie, whom they called in hope their "missionary 
boy," and who, when he grew into a handsome, intellectual 
youth, fulfilled their desire by taking a keen interest in 



THE EDUCATOR. 61 

every thing pertaining to missions, especially making an in- 
tense study of Africa the Winter before his death in Boston 
in his eighteenth year. The next was Willie, born at the 
outbreak of the war of the rebellion, who was to be snatched 
away suddenly by fire twenty-two years later; and the 
youngest, Nellie, born in the last year at the seminary. 
Such was the group surrounding Dr. Wiley in the morning 
of his manhood, and dwelling before the students' eyes, a 
model family, in the unmolested tranquillity of that whole- 
some village, "far from the madding crowd" and its com- 
motion, fashion, and rivalries. It was the sacred beauty of 
his own home that enabled him to write his volume on 
" The Religion of the Family." 

The government of the institution under Dr. Wiley was 
a marvel of easy mastery. First of all, the magnetic quiet- 
ness of the man helped to secure a still atmosphere, favorable 
to study, repressive of tumult and distraction, promotive of 
order and decorum, holding all things in the bonds of peace. 
Composure may be as contagious as nervousness. Calmness 
is mesmeric. His gentle dignity exerted its command as 
Mendelsohn uttered songs without words. It is doubtful 
if a seminary ever saw less show of government, or more 
adequate control. In five years of educational work there 
was not one moment when his administration lost an iota 
of its prestige, or lowered its eyes before a student. It sat 
secure, throned highly in universal respect. Deliberate ac- 
tion, unflurried by rashness or haste, was never obliged to 
retreat. Self-control kept him from going too far in cor- 
recting a student. The stool of penitence was occupied by 
the transgressor, never by the government. 

Moreover, there was nothing spasmodic in his rule. He 
pursued no half-and-half policy of mixing laxity and sever- 
ity in equal parts to neutralize each other. Alkali and acid 
make effervescence. Government by hysterics has disad- 



62 ISAAC W.WILEY. 

vantages. Lord Salisbury described Gladstone's Egyptian 
policy, including the campaign for the rescue of General 
Gordon, as "an alternation of periods of slumber with 
periods of vehement rush." Schools have sometimes seen, 
now a good-natured loosening of control fostering careless- 
ness in students, and then a sudden and irritating tightening 
of the reins on a disorder for which directorial negligence 
was responsible. Dr. Wiley's governing was temperate and 
equable. Mischievous students were aware of a wakeful 
and observant supervision, and knew there was no chance 
for them to hope concerning authority, as Caliban in Brown- 
ing's poem does concerning Setebos, that some day he may 
doze. Yet the well-disposed and studious found the atmo- 
sphere of the institution as mild and genial as the air of 
Eden. Misdoing met a look of grieved amazement in his 
face, harder to endure than any amount of storming. There 
was never the slightest sign of temper, no fire in his patient 
eye, no vehemence in his manner. The solemn calmness of 
his rebuke was to the last degree oppressive, well-nigh in- 
tolerable to the culprit, who could not attribute to the heat 
of passion any part of the w r eight of disapproval — but knew 
it to be measured out, with magisterial accuracy, as a just 
sentence upon his ill desert. No offender ever thought: 
"He is provoked now, but his anger will shortly abate." 
No rogue under shadow of his censure ventured to hum 
inwardly so hopeful a tune as, " We '11 wait till the clouds 
roll by." His reproof was the discomfort of searching day- 
light, revealing, with painful distinctness, the shame and 
baseness, the stained and hideous features, of the offense. 
The sinner felt that never, while light should last for seeing 
the moral quality of actions, could there be any change in 
the face of his misdeed — in its character as it now appeared 
it must always stay. There was something awful in this. 
The office of government was seen to be a court of justice. 



THE EDUCATOR. 63 

Moreover, the serene goodness of the man, embodiment 
of high principle and feeling, was a terror to evil-doers. In 
his very tone and aspect there was that before which any- 
thing low or false must instinctively quail. The half- 
pitying gaze of his pained nobleness was more insufferable 
than the lash. 

The sedate immobility of Dr. Wiley's exterior was some- 
times mistaken by the casual observer for indifference. A 
minister rode ten miles to make a fraternal call on the 
principal of the seminary, and many years afterward said, 
"I thought him the coldest man I had ever seen. I made 
my call brief, and walked out of his office with the deter- 
mination never to seek another interview with him." One 
who knew him well at Pennington says: "With strangers 
he was apt to be reserved — partly from timidity, partly from 
constitutional cautiousness, partly from abstracted moods of 
thoughtfulness." Dean Stanley describes the natural shy- 
ness of Thomas Arnold, and his dislike of wasting words 
on trivial occasions; both these traits were in Wiley. Any 
one that had business, or a subject of importance to present, 
found an attentive listener — whoever needed help met 
kindly sympathy and aid; but the leisurely person that 
wished to be entertained, or to converse for conversation's 
sake, ran the risk of finding him irresponsive and inacces- 
sible. A topic of interest to discuss would engage his 
mind at once ; but the small-talk and chitchat of society 
he could not abide. His mind, though entirely genial, with 
never a touch of moroseness, was too serious for trifling. 

His cool serenity, which was one of the elements of his 
strength, marked all the actions of his life. In 1880, as 
two of "his boys," who knew the true and tender heart 
under his silent lips, watched him presiding at the Newark 
Conference, one said to the other: "Notice the impassive- 
ness of that face. Is it natural to him, or did he learn it 



64 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

of the Chinese in his missionary days?" Deep emotion was 
indicated on Wiley's face only by an ashy paleness and a 
more rigid stillness. The countenance of America's greatest 
soldier was not more imperturbable, nor Wendell Phillips 
more poised and statue-calm. In 1883, a gentleman who 
had only seen with his eyes and knew but the surface, 
speaking of the tragic sorrows then falling on Bishop 
Wiley's family — blistering, lacerating, crushing his very life 
out — said : " I would think he might bear such things as 
well as any body, he seems so stoical !" 

Few men have been so often and totally misunderstood in 
this respect. This white-marble exterior covered keen hu- 
man sensibilities in a soul of delicate fiber. He had little 
patience with even the mistaken saintliness that esteems it a 
duty to dehumanize one's self out of all natural feelings into 
a sublime insensateness, as if that were the way to become 
like the all-tender Christ. One of his co-workers at the 
seminary says: "At first I thought him frigid, reserved, and 
haughty; but soon knew him to be one of the most kindly, 
guileless, child-like, and candid of men." On his coming 
to the principalship his reserve, so different from the genial 
and sometimes jocose familiarity of his predecessor, Dr. 
Crane, made students fear they had in him no substitute 
for the friend they had lost ; but they were not long in dis- 
covering that the undemonstrative manner overlaid a warm, 
appreciative, just, and affectionate nature. A Pennington 
pastor writes: "The first thing that impressed me was his 
great dignity; and afterward, as I came nearer, his great 
gentleness and simplicity." Fine feelings, such as made 
their home with him, dwell in seclusion and do not gad 
about to gossip at every body's gate. Offered affection met 
royal response; and the love of friends he cherished with 
fidelity, and valued as the real wealth of life. Ituskin says : 
"An infinitude of tenderness is the chief gift and inherit- 



THE} EDUCATOR. 65 

ance of all truly great men." This quality was not lacking 
in Wiley — albeit it had the trout-like habit of hiding in the 
deep, cool, shady places of his being, and not frequenting 
open, sunny, babbling shallows. In this, as in all things, 
one marked in him " the depth, and not the tumult of the 
soul." 

A pure, poised, manly personality — exercising mild do- 
minion almost without effort — commanded increased rever- 
ence by its history, the spell of which was on his students' 
minds. He had been a missionary; his soul-life had early 
touched highest level ; his spirit had felt the burden of a 
vast heathen nation's woe; he had left all for God, had po- 
tentially and well-nigh in fact, laid down his life for China 
on her soil. In his office were shelves full of his book, 
"The Fallen Missionaries of Fuh Chau." All this was 
greatly impressive to the imagination, and the moral nature. 
The modest man walked before us clothed with his own 
history, and trailing its glory after him like a sacred robe. 
We saw him against a background that fringed his person 
with a halo. We knew what sort of soul was back of the 
look of his sober eye — what deep of devout experience lay 
under his voice when he spoke. His past was a sounding- 
board, giving focused and reverberant force to his utter- 
ances. The history behind the man was like the light 
which the Roman sacristan holds behind the alabaster column 
in the crypt of St. Peter's, to make luminous and visible its 
internal veined, wavy, opalescent beauty. 

In addition to the imposing dignity of his consecrated 
life, his sway was made still more complete by the power 
of his superb eloquence, under which his students were 
utterly subdued and melted. Filled with admiration at his 
sweeping mastery of great themes and audiences, they felt a 
just pride in their strong and brilliant principal. 

It is probable that none of his utterances were quite so 



66 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

impressive as his prayers. Russell Lowell once said: "My 
father knew how to pray, and Father Taylor down at the 
Bethel prays; but the minister's prayer at my brother's fu- 
neral, the other day, seemed directed neither to heaven nor 
earth, but at an angle, as if to the organ-loft." Dr. Wiley 
knew how to pray. Always he prayed the chapel into in- 
tense stillness — often into tears — sometimes into sobs. At 
the end we raised our bowed heads with the feeling that we 
had encountered God. When upon his knees, his soul 
seemed awe-struck and enrapt — tranced in humility at sight 
of the glory of God. One life-long peculiarity was a 
marked slowing and lowering of the voice as he approached 
any name of Deity. How characteristic and familiar to 
all who had long known him was the beginning of that in- 
spired prayer which, together with Bishop Simpson's last 
address, providentially closed the General Conference of 
1884: "Our adorable Savior!" As Nadal used often to say, 
"Jesus Master!" so this was Wiley's favorite word, when he 
spoke to or of the Lord, "adorable;" and what a soft, so- 
norous richness, and earnest depth of solemn tone his voice 
would take on as he uttered it. 

It is no wonder that the atmosphere of the seminary in 
his day was so profoundly and pervasively religious as to 
make it nearly impossible for one student to come and go 
without becoming a Christian. Many a man in middle-life 
to-day feels his armor braced anew when he recalls the 
sound of the sympathetic, subdued " Amen !" with which Dr. 
Wiley used to punctuate and indorse the petitions of his 
boys, as they tried to pray in the chapel prayer-meeting. 
That encouraging response is now one of life's " lost chords ;" 
for we know that, only in heaven, can we hear that dear 
Amen. 

The feeling of his students toward him was such a min- 
gling of fear and love, as held them just where they had 



THE EDUCATOR. 67 

greatest benefit from him and he most command over them. 
Satellites are kept in their orbits by exact balancing of cen- 
trifugal and centripetal forces. This fine feat of balancing 
his subjects no one ever did with more unconscious ease than 
he. Steele said of Lady Elizabeth Hastings : " To love her 
is a liberal education." The love inspired by Wiley was so 
ennobling, that the subject nature, held captive in a silken 
leash, felt the movement of an imitative will, and experi- 
enced a rapid, liberal, gracious development. " True love," 
says Stuart Blackie, " is the impassioned admiration of excel- 
lence." Exactly that was the tribute paid by Dr. Wiley's 
scholars. Every young man who went from Pennington to 
any college in those five years, felt that he bore upon him 
the influence of a truly great man, fit to be president of the 
best institution in the land. No girl-graduate hoisted her 
diploma like a sail, and bore away into the world beyond 
the purple horizon of school-days, but carried his beloved 
image as an imperishable treasure in her heart. 

Very laborious were his Pennington years to Dr. Wiley. 
The entire care of the institution, a large share in the work 
of instruction, an extensive course of reading marked out 
for himself in theology, science, history, and philosophy, which 
he pursued with assiduous ardor — the pastorate of Princeton 
one year, and of State Street, Trenton, another — courses of 
Sunday lectures in chapel on parables, miracles, or other 
sacred subjects — evening lectures to the school on physiology 
and hygiene, or astronomy — helping his ministerial brethren 
in revivals, preaching in country school-houses, dedicating 
churches, delivering platform-addresses, carrying on his im- 
promptu divinity-school: all this for a man of delicate 
physique, and never robust health, was a heavy load. But 
he never spared himself; and work for the Master was his 
ambition, his joy, his very life. Sunday morning he would 
rise early, take medicine for the digestive difficulty con- 



68 ISAAC \V. WILEY. 

tracted in China that finally ended his days, conduct prayers 
in the chapel at eight o'clock, deliver a lecture, get into 
his carriage and ride ten miles to Princeton in all weathers, 
preach there morning and evening, and drive home after 
service at night. His hearty help was given to every interest 
of the Pennington Church, making the pastor recognize a 
powerful co-adjutor in the principal of the seminary, while 
his influence was going abroad through cities and States. 

His electric power and captivating eloquence caused him 
to be desired. Being invited to deliver the annual sermon 
before the Missionary Lyceum of Wesleyan University, 
at Middletown, Connecticut, on commencement Sunday, in 
gloomy war-time, he preached so mightily on God's provi- 
dential purpose for this nation, that the old church rang 
with rapturous applause, such as its walls never heard on 
Sabbath before or since. From this college he received, not 
long after, the degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

In his third year at the seminary the war broke out. 
Up to the hanging of Rev. Anthony Bewley, a Methodist 
preacher, by a mob at Fort Worth, Texas, September 13, 
1860, Dr. Wiley had called himself a Democrat; but one 
morning, early in the Fall-term, he said to one of his teach- 
ers, " I was converted last night. The murder of Bewley 
has done it." 

On the secession of the Southern States, and outbreak 
of hostilities, his prompt voice rang out through the region 
announcing the nature of the crisis, and the necessity for 
meeting it at any cost. In the pulpit, and everywhere, he 
declared that the Union must be preserved, if the whole 
land had to be deluged with blood to save it. When a car- 
load of Southern college-students left Princeton for home, 
cheering wildly for the Confederacy, some of Dr. Wiley's 
young men took their departure to enlist against rebellion 
at Trenton, or at their own homes. 



THE EDUCATOR. 69 

When Colonel Ellsworth was shot in the Marshall House 
at Alexandria, May 24, 1861, there was a week-old baby in 
Dr. Wiley's home, and to this boy he gave at once the 
name of the dead Zouave, coupled with part of his own, 
calling him William Ellsworth. The day after Ellsworth 
fell with the national colors in his arms, a tall flag-pole 
was raised on the campus, from which the ensign of the 
Republic was thenceforth kept floating. Far and near he 
pleaded with men of every party to merge all differences in 
a stern agreement to save the nation intact, and no man in 
the , State did more to unite the people for the fiery and 
stupendous task. 

A mass-meeting held on the campus to encourage en- 
listments, and fill the quota of troops required from the 
township, was so stirred by his fervid arguments and thrill- 
ing appeals, that men came forward, amid tears of mothers, 
wives, sisters, and friends, to give their lives for the country 
in such numbers that the requisition was speedily filled and 
a large surplus over. 

In July, 1863, health being broken, he relinquished 
the principalship into the hands of Rev. D. C. Knowles, 
and rented the "Brown House" on the west side of the 
campus for a half-year of rest and recuperation. For some 
time the trustees had desired to sell the institution to him, 
and he seriously contemplated buying it — as also Lasher's 
school across the street; but the unsettled condition of the 
country and his wavering health deterred him. If he had 
made the purchase, would he ever have been editor or 
bishop? The Winter he lived in the Brown House he had 
a severe illness; and, while still confined to his bed, an ur- 
gent request was sent him by loyal citizens of Trenton, 
oppressed by the intolerable gloom of the darkest days of 
the war and troubled by the growing boldness of disloyalty, 
to come to the rescue of the perilous and well-nigh desperate 






70 ISAAC W. WILEY, 

state of popular sentiment by delivering lectures to the 
Trenton public, the pecuniary results to go to the sanitary 
commission. He answered, from his pillow, that he would 
come as soon as God gave him strength. Probably there 
are not ten men alive who know at what a price he kept his 
word. Between his promise and its fulfillment, known fully 
only to his own soul and heaven, lies hid one of the most 
agonizing, noble, and pathetic struggles of his life. The 
lectures, prepared on a sick-bed, were delivered in Febru- 
ary, to audiences that crowded the largest public hall, under 
the double title, "How we Got In — How to Get Out;" 
and were afterward published in pamphlet form by the com- 
mittee, in spite of an attempt by disloyal persons to destroy 
the forms in the printer's office. What a chain of linked 
events is a man's life ! Circumstances are agents of unseen 
intelligence, and hatch unsuspected conspiracies. To these 
speeches, it is affirmed, is due an eight years' editorship. 
When, at the General Conference of 1864, Davis W. Clark's 
election as bishop left vacant the editorial chair of the Ladies' 
Repository, a delegate from a distance, who had seen this 
pamphlet, pointed to Wiley, and said : " The man who wrote 
those lectures is the man to edit the Repository." Reading 
over now those brilliant, patriotic orations, which he did not 
write but spoke extempore, one is compelled to wonder 
whether any more masterly, comprehensive, and vivid pre- 
sentation of the crisis was uttered by any lips in all the 
lurid, seething years of turbulence and bloodshed. 

There is good authority for saying that, in all after life, 
the Pennington years seemed to him his brightest. Then 
was the fresh prime of his early manhood, aglow with holy 
ambitions, conscious of expanding powers, placed in a spa- 
cious opportunity and filling it with eminent and satisfying 
success — esteeming highly the imperial privilege of molding 
a multitude of plastic minds for godly living and substantial 



THE EDUCATOR. 



71 



usefulness. Then was the season, also, of comparative 
health for him and his, the period of his greatest exemption 
from personal sickness, and almost the only section of his 
history when grim death refrained from smiting his domestic 
circle. There, all surroundings were of merry, buoyant, 
rosy, laughing life, and gladness poured its sunshine broadly, 
undarkened by the falling of one funereal shadow. 

Content in the comfort of a peaceful home, he played 
fondly with his growing children, joining them in the pleas- 
ures of every season, as blithe as they with joy at the burst- 
ing of the maples into tender leafage, and the beauty of 
young grass on the lawn in Spring; while for him there was 
yet nobler delight in watching and tending the fair, budding 
spring-time of young lives, placed by hundreds under his 
charge, when the promise of their future was all abloom 
upon them, and he was "helping God to blossom them," 
inserting in them, with prayerful endeavor, "the ingrafted 
Word which is able to save souls." 

No wonder he often called this period the oasis of his 
life, and wrote, long after he became a bishop, that the hap- 
piest days he had ever known were those spent at Pen- 
nington with the young people. He gave no warmer 
greetings than those with which, in subsequent years, he 
met "his boys and girls" growing toward middle age, as 
he went up and down the world about his work. And they 
look back to Pennington as the place where they received 
their earliest and highest inspirations under the touch of a 
man who was animated by the same spirit that made Arnold 
of Rugby write in his journal two hours before his death : 
"Above all, let me mind my own personal task and keep 
myself pure and zealous, laboring to do God's work." Two 
little incidents may illustrate partly the spirit he exhibited 
and infused. Calling one of his young men into the office 
to tell him he must go and preach in a certain school-house 



72 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

on a certain night, he said : " Now do your best this time — 
and always!" A pastor sitting in the office asked, as if 
raising a question over the exhortation, "Is that the kind 
of advice you give your young preachers?" "Yes, sir! A 
man ought to plan to do his best every time," replied the 
principal. That was his own keyed and strenuous idea of 
duty. 

At the session of the New Jersey Conference, at Salem, 
in 1871, one of his students said to him: "Dr. Wiley, your 
boys hope to call you bishop after General Conference next 
Spring." His simple and grave reply was: "There are 
three hundred and sixty-five days in a year in which a man 
may die." The tone and manner of his answer were not 
gloomy, surly, or despondent, but entirely cheerful. It was 
but the habitual seriousness of his mind. 

This motto his teaching and example wrote upon his 
students' hearts: For this life do your best; and, so doing, 
be mindful always that the other life is imminent/ That is 
the only way to make the next the better life. 

One writes to say that the grand ideals of human char- 
acter and ministerial work, given him at the outset by Dr. 
Wiley, have been the " pillar of fire " to his soul in all his 
twenty-five years' march; and still in his life, as in many 
another, that lustrous column, swaying forward, burns on at 
the front. 



~>»»*^*^ 



IV. 



BISHOP J. Tvl. WALDEN, LL. D. 

^[(^OUR of the eight editors of the Ladies' Repository have 
been elected to the episcopacy: Hamline, Thomson, 
Clark, and Wiley — a fact that indicates the class of 
men who filled this editorial office. Isaac W. Wiley 
was elected to it, by acclamation, on Saturday, May 
21, 1864, the seventeenth day of the General Confer- 
ence, then in session in Philadelphia. Davis W. 
Clark, who filled the position for eleven years, had, the 
day before, May 20th, been elected to the episcopacy. By 
rare editorial skill, indefatigable industry, and a wise use of 
the resources at his command, he had given the Repository 
a high character, and secured for it its widest circulation. 
The selection of a successor who could maintain the popu- 
larity of the magazine was a matter of grave interest with 
the members of the General Conference. It was the one 
periodical in which the Church, in all parts of the country, 
had a common interest ; it was an exponent of a commenda- 
ble literary and chaste artistic taste, which was constantly 
becoming more widely diffused among our people; it was 
not only professedly but actually the advocate and guardian 
of Christian womanhood, and, as such, promoted the wel- 
fare of the Church by fostering the literary as well. as the 

73 



74 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

social and spiritual interests of woman among all who read 
it, young and old — and, very properly, there was a com- 
mendable and just pride in its success — hence a solicitude 
as to its editorial management. 

The sentiment favorable to the election of Dr. Clark to 
the episcopacy became so marked, that the question as to a 
fitting person for the editorship of the Ladies' Repository 
was forced upon the minds of the delegates early in the 
session, and several names were mentioned in this connection. 
The magazine was published in the West, and for this 
reason, if for no other, the preference was for an Eastern 
man ; then, Dr. Clark, under whom it had attained its large 
circulation and wide popularity, had, by his identification 
with the East, enlarged the number of its friends in that 
section; but beyond such considerations was the desire to 
select the best man for the place, whatever his locality. 
Under these circumstances, the name of Dr. Wiley was sug- 
gested by his friends. He was not widely known in the 
Church ; his name was on the honored, and then small, roll 
of missionaries, but it had not appeared frequently among 
the writers for our periodical press; he had added to the 
literature of missions a small volume commemorative of 
those who had fallen in the far-off fields, among them 
his own young wife, but little was known of him as an 
author throughout the connection. At this General Con- 
ference he was a member of the standing committees on 
Missions, Education, and German Work, and secretary of 
that on Missions. It was characteristic of him to attend 
diligently to the duties assigned him — a fact that must 
have impressed those thus associated with him in the 
special work of the conference, while his position on the 
Committee on Missions, which presented a number of re- 
ports, brought him in some measure before the conference. 
At that time but few challenged the propriety of the dele- 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 75 

gates within the patronizing territory of a periodical, pub- 
lishing-house, and the like, meeting for consultation as to 
the proper person to be supported for the office of editor, 
agent, or secretary. While no meeting was called in refer- 
ence to the editorship of the Repository, yet the patrons of 
the New York and the Western Christian Advocates, respec- 
tively, did hold caucuses, at one of which, if not both, the 
name of Dr. Wiley was incidentally mentioned in connec- 
tion with the Repository. The day following the election of 
Dr. Clark to the episcopacy, a motion to postpone the elec- 
tion of an editor for the Ladies' Repository was defeated 
after some discussion, during which the prevalent sentiment 
of the General Conference was expressed by Dr. Granville 
Moody, of the Cincinnati Conference, who said he believed 
"in taking a man from the center of the Church for this 
important post, and Dr. Wiley is from the right quarter, and 
eminently qualified." An election by acclamation followed 
at once. 

Dr. Wiley did not bring a wide editorial experience to 
his new office. But this has not been exceptional with those 
placed in the editorial charge of the periodicals of our 
Church. Six of the twelve editors elected in 1864 had not 
served in that capacity: Wiley, Curry, Reid, Crary, Lore, 
and Benson. Each of them had written more or less for 
our periodicals, but they were alike without editorial expe- 
rience. To those who study Methodism from without, this 
custom of intrusting the interests of an important paper or 
magazine to one who is without editorial experience must 
seem somewhat perilous. It may be admitted that there are 
some disadvantages ; but, under the force of our connectional 
polity, the results have been quite satisfactory. The lack 
of experience may have been compensated, in good measure, 
by the newly chosen editors coming fresh from the pas- 
torate, or other field, in which the relation to the people is 



76 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

more personal than that of the editor. Be this as it may, 
the Methodist press, for half a century, has compared favor- 
ably with that of other denominations, and has, in a grand 
way, served its purpose among our people. A condition 
that affected the editorial career of Dr. Wiley, as it has that 
of every other editor of our Church, and through them has 
favorably affected our periodical literature, is the independency 
of the Methodist official editor. He is elected for the quad- 
rennial term, by the representatives of the Church at large; 
and the only limitations to the opinions he may advocate are 
the recognized doctrines and established polity of the Church. 
He does not serve a private corporation whose cautious views 
may be fetters upon freedom of utterance; but he serves 
a Church that expects him to speak promptly and boldly, 
though prudently, upon every moral and religious question 
that ought to have consideration in a Christian journal. 
The effect of such editorial independency has been manifest 
not only in the settlement of questions incident to the 
progress of the Church, but also, and in a more public 
way throughout the land, in the pronounced influence of the 
Methodist Episcopal press in favor of Freedom and the 
Union both before and during the pro-slavery rebellion, 
and is not less manifest now in the definiteness of its posi- 
tion in the equally momentous contest with the rum power. 
Dr. Wiley used the freedom of his position with manly vigor 
and Christian prudence. 

When placed in charge of the Ladies' Repository Dr. 
Wiley was not a professional editor, and he had not been a 
voluminous writer. The professional editor may be suc- 
cessful in his line without being a forcible and popular 
writer; but the Methodist official editor is expected to 
possess both qualifications in a good degree. The successful 
editor is quick to discern the proper tastes and real wants 
of his readers. This requires diversified attainments, as 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 77 

well as natural aptitudes. The field of knowledge not only 
widens constantly, but the relative importance of its various 
departments, and the relative prominence of its various 
subjects, change from time to time. The advancement of 
society, the unequal progress of the various elements of civ- 
ilization, are ever modifying the tastes and expectations of 
the readers. If a periodical have a definite purpose beyond 
that of being a medium for news, that purpose also will 
affect the scope and character of the editorial work — will 
have its influence in the selection and rejection of articles, 
and in the modifications to which articles may be subjected. 
The Repository, being at once a religious and a literary 
periodical, gave its editor a wide and diversified field, and 
brought to him exacting duties. He must be conversant 
with current literature and art, and keep pace with their 
progress; he must be equally conversant with religious 
work in all lands in this the most active period in the en- 
tire history of evangelization. The Ladies' Repository was 
such a religious and literary magazine, founded and con- 
ducted with special reference to the sphere, work, and tastes 
of Christian women. This, in view of the facts and condi- 
tions already stated, made the editorial duties all the more 
difficult and delicate. The magazine was the outgrowth of 
the sentiment and conviction that gave rise to our denomi- 
national seminaries and colleges for the better education of 
young women, among them the oldest chartered Female 
College in the land — and that has at length secured to 
them equal access to most of our higher educational insti- 
tutions. To be the clear and prudent exponent of that 
sentiment and conviction at a time when the excesses that 
attend every true reform, obstructed the wisest efforts in be- 
half of woman, required a calm judgment, a keen discrimi- 
nation, a firm purpose, and a conscientious and fearless 
devotion to duty. 



78 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

The traits of Dr. Wiley's character, and breadth of his edu- 
cation, acquired both by study and experience, fitted him for 
this difficult and delicate task. The study and practice of 
medicine, which places one in the most confidential relations 
with the home ; the observations of the missionary as to the 
influence of woman's bondage and degradation on home-life 
and on society; the experience of the teacher, in which he 
became familiar with the training of youth, woman's queenly 
office in the home — all combined to give him a high and 
correct estimate of the position and duty of the Christian 
woman. The memory of the devoted Sunday-school teacher 
who, through her faithful instructions and tender and prayer- 
ful solicitude, led him to the Savior, was a constant and 
sweet reminder of woman's subtle power for good, and gave 
him a just appreciation of the influence she was designed to 
exert in the Church, as well as in the home. A paragraph 
from his pen will reveal his views of women's highest do- 
main, and of her endowments for the same : 

"In spite of the so-called progress of modern times, and 
of all we have seen written or heard spoken on the rights 
and wrongs, the demands and destinies of woman — and we 
have read and heard much — we have seen nothing to convert 
us from the old and sublime lessons floating down to us 
from the lips of the Creator, and from the morning of the 
creation. In spite of the sneers that have been heaped upon 
the Word, we still believe the Creator had a lofty design 
in the manner of woman's creation, and that he assigned 
to her, as well as to man, her own peculiar ' sphere' and 
work, her own place in the economy of human life, and that 
there is no higher place or work on earth than the Creator 
has given to woman. What loftier, more potent, more sacred 
sphere is found in the world than home? What holier 
names are found beneath the sky than wife and mother? 
Home — the household — we still believe, is the sphere of 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 79 

woman; and woe be to both man and woman when the 
world repudiates it, or woman discards it. She was not 
made for the toils, the strifes, the excitements of the busy- 
outside world; and man and society are at fault when 
they thrust the necessity for it upon her. Gentleness is 
stamped upon her in all respects; and not only is a meek 
and quiet spirit her greatest adornment, but it is the most 
essential characteristic of her nature. In proportion as she 
departs from it, she so far loses in the grace, the beauty, and 
the power of her character. In the busy world she is lost — 
at home she shines as the sun and center. Let her be slow 
to exchange it for any thing else. 

" Nor should she be ashamed of this position. She should 
rejoice in it, as the sphere in which she remains supreme. 
Nor should she be betrayed into underestimating its impor- 
tance. What would life be for either man or woman, if it 
were not for this vast sphere of female usefulness and activ- 
ity? if it were not for homes, for domestic joys, for fireside 
virtues, for social relations? What is the mere bald picture 
in its naked outlines, uncolored, unadorned, unshaded? So 
what would human society be without the softening tints, the 
gentle shadings, the mild beauties thrown over it by the hand 
of woman? What would the world be if it were not for 
singing birds, for blooming flowers, for sloping hills, for 
beautiful landscapes, and for star-lit skies? So what would 
human life be if it were not for the beauty, the virtue, the 
bliss, which spring up, and bless, and adorn it in this sphere 
of action which God has assigned to woman? If the great 
Creator himself thought it not unworthy of his labor to 
adorn the home of his human creature with beauty, and to 
throw over all his works a veil of harmony and peace, let 
not woman think it an undignified position when God has 
placed this department of life and of the world in her hand. 
Because the sun shines by day, shall the peerless moon blush 



80 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

to ride in her chariot of silver through her dominion of stars 
by night? Woman's ambition should be to shine at home — 
to shine in the social, beautiful, and peaceful scenes of life. 
In this very day society has no greater want than rest, 
homes of peace, where both men and women can find relief 
from the toil and excitement of the busy life we are living; 
and every woman who makes and preserves such a home is 
a benefactress of the race that needs not blush before the 
philanthropist, or the philosopher, or the statesman." 

These views of woman's appropriate position, and her pos- 
sible influence in it, gave him a keen appreciation of his 
opportunity, as editor of the Ladies' Repository, to influence 
the thought and direct the efforts of thousands of mothers, 
wives, and daughters, for whom he edited and prepared read- 
ing matter each month in the year. Those who may have 
studied the editorial characteristics of the magazine while 
under his control, will have discerned that this part of his 
work was performed patiently and conscientiously, and with 
the purpose of making his readers wiser and better. While 
preparing this article, I received the following from Rev. 
Daniel Curry, D. D., LL. D., whose ability and oppor- 
tunity to form a correct estimate of Dr. Wiley's editorial 
work, invest the statement with special interest: 

"My connection with the journalism of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church has caused me to study the peculiar char- 
acteristics of the several principal editors. The Ladies' Re- 
pository rose to its full proportions under the management 
of Dr. Clark; and when it passed into the hands of Dr. 
Wiley, though somewhat changed in its character, it was 
still an able and instructive magazine. The decline in its 
circulation during his term of office was certainly not the 
result of a corresponding deterioration in the character of 
the publication — but to a change in the public taste, and to 
the better character of other periodicals, both those of the 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 81 

Church and those of the secular press. In looking through 
the volumes of the Repository, as I have had occasion to do 
carefully, I have been brought to a higher appreciation of 
Dr. Wiley's editorial work than I had before entertained — 
excelling as his work does in good taste, and in mingled 
instruction and amusement — never losing sight of the fact, 
that his office of editor was also that of a Christian in- 
structor." 

Dr. Wiley possessed, in good degree, both elements of 
a Methodist official editor — he was a writer as well as an 
editor. It may be properly claimed for him that, in his 
order of thought, force of expression, and beauty of diction, 
he excelled as a speaker — an extempore speaker. It is not 
improbable that his readiness and accuracy as a speaker 
were the fruits of a discipline that resulted in part from the 
careful use of his pen. His style as a writer was exuberant 
in its beauty, but not florid ; his sentences are full and well- 
rounded, but not redundant. He clearly perceived the 
thought he desired to express; and the most fitting words 
seemed naturally to take their place in easy, chaste, forceful 
sentences. Some of his strongest and best articles written 
for the Ladies' Repository were re-published in a volume 
entitled "The Religion of the Family," which ought to be 
in every Methodist home. It not only illustrates his force 
and style as a writer, but also the dominant purpose that 
controlled him in his editorial position. He aimed to im- 
press his readers with the dignity of woman's proper sphere 
in society. His views of her relation to the home and the 
Church were well defined and safe, and he firmly asserted 
them in his discussions of the various topics entitled to 
consideration in the magazine. A paragraph from the 
above-named volume will show the elevated character of the 
sentiments with which he enriched his readers : 

"Surely the duties and responsibilities of wife and 



82 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



mother are occupation enough for any woman, and the rest- 
less discontent now so prevalent in many places must arise 
either in those households where there are but few family 
cares, or where ambition or the fascinations of society and 
fashion make these duties unacceptable. And surely, too, 
it is hard to conceive of any higher more important, or more 
blessed occupation than that found in the cheerful accept- 
ance and loving discharge of these wifely and maternal du- 
ties. For these, woman is pre-eminently adapted ; her 
vocation in this direction is impressed on every part of her 
being; here she can have no rival; here she reigns supreme. 
And yet, we repeat, it is altogether a matter of choice with 
her whether to enter into this sphere of life or to remain in 
the independence of single womanhood. We do not say 
that all women should marry, or that marriage is the only 
vocation for woman ; but we claim that, when she chooses to 
marry, she voluntarily accepts the relations and duties of the 
wife, and thereafter has no right to cast them off, or substi- 
tute others for them, or to be forever complaining that they 
are what they are. But, whatever may be our human notions 
about it, marriage is what the Creator made it. Not a perfect 
state, that in this life is impossible ; not a perfectly happy 
state, for that we are not yet prepared; not a state of ease 
and rest — it is full of employment, cares, and responsibilities. 
But it is the most perfect, most happy, most safe, and most 
restful mode of life for both men and women in our present 
mortal state — it is the Creator's judgment of the highest and 
best human estate." 

Dr. Wiley became editor of the Ladies' Repository at a 
transition period in magazine literature. Two classes of lit- 
erary magazines, the illustrated and non-illustrated, had been 
before the reading public for more than a decade. The 
progress in wood-engraving had increased the popularity of 
the illustrated monthly, and made it possible to publish 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 83 

with success elaborately illustrated weekly papers of high 
order. This success was hastened, if not assured, by the 
portraiture of scenes in the civil war, the subject that so 
engrossed all minds as to affect the reading habits of the 
people. The taste for illustrated periodicals was contempo- 
rary with an improvement in the literary character of the 
leading magazines, and a corresponding change in the liter- 
ary demands of the readers. The relatively high literary 
character of the Repository was fully maintained, but its 
scope was necessarily limited by the object of its publica- 
tion. For years, one of its special features had been its 
steel-plate engravings of a high order. They had been re- 
garded with favor because of their artistic excellence, but 
were lacking in popular interest. They could have no im- 
mediate relation to any considerable part of the contents of 
the magazine — in fact, were seldom intended to illustrate an 
article. In their isolation they failed to attract the general 
reader, as do wood-cuts that give a double interest to the 
articles they illustrate. 

Dr. Wiley felt the force of these changes that were 
taking place in the field occupied in part by the Reposi- 
tory ; and, as chairman of the Committee on the Book Con- 
cern, in the General Conference of 1868, he advocated the 
granting of authority to the publishers to make changes that 
would adapt it, so far as its purpose would allow, to the 
wants and tastes of those who ought to be its patrons. 
Some concessions in the right direction were made by the 
General Conference; and, being again elected its editor, 
he sought to make, in a gradual way, modifications that 
were authorized and practicable. It was not practicable to 
conduct the Repository in a way that would make it a com- 
petitor with other magazines in the general market. Its 
marked religious character must be maintained, and that would 
exclude classes of reading matter that formed a prominent 



84 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

feature in the general magazine. Dr. Wiley's ideal was a 
religious magazine, Methodistic in spirit, and high and 
strong in its literary character. He felt that the increased 
activity of woman in the widening sphere that Methodism 
had done so much both to open and to extend, demanded such 
a periodical as he hoped to make the Repository — the advo- 
cate and record of her work in all religious and educational 
movements, the exponent of her best thought, and of the 
best Christian thought of others upon her relation to these 
movements. The tentative character of the action of the 
Chicago General Conference suggests the fact, that such 
changes in an established periodical, to succeed, must be 
progressive and not precipitate. He was persuaded that 
the interests of our Church demanded a Methodist maga- 
zine, such as he had in mind — and he fully believed that 
it would have a generous support; but, before the plans 
could be matured and carried out he was, in 1872, called to 
the episcopacy. 

After returning from his first episcopal visit to Eastern 
Asia, he gave the record of his observations to the Church 
in a volume entitled " China and Japan." It is more than a 
journal of travel. He went to China with the knowledge 
of her people and their social condition gained years before 
as a missionary; he visited a field upon which, during the 
intervening years, commerce, as well as Christian missions, 
had made marked changes; he inspected the work of our 
own and other Churches, and the opening fields before them, 
with the interest of one who believed that the deepest gloom 
of heathendom is to be dispelled by the light of the Gospel; 
his book emanated from such a study of the two great 
countries he visited, and it is a volume of real and rare 
value — one that conveys an intelligent view of mission work 
in heathen lands, and will awaken in its readers a deeper 
interest in that work. 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 85 

As few can have access to the Ladies' Repository, in the 
pages of which, for eight years, Dr. Wiley gave to the Church 
the product of his pen, it is fortunate that some part of the 
best things he wrote for the magazine, with whatever new 
matter was needed to give unity and completeness to the 
work, were prepared by himself and published by the 
Western Methodist Book Concern, in 1872, in the volume 
already alluded to, entitled " The Religion of the Family." 
This and his last book, "China and Japan," contain all of 
his writings that are readily attainable. These volumes are 
quite as different in style as in their subject-matter. To- 
gether, they illustrate tlje author's versatility as a writer. 
If examined only with a view of forming an estimate of his 
characteristics as a writer, they present an interesting study. 
Their intrinsic merits entitle them to a permanent place in 
Methodist literature, and they will be found to possess an in- 
terest with many of other communions. In the first-named 
volume, the author discusses the sacred relations and holy 
purposes of the family as an institution that has a deeper sig- 
nificance than merely that of uniting persons of different 
sex. It is more than a series of essays on Marriage, The 
Husband, The Wife, Parents, Divorce, and cognate themes. 
Few were better qualified to treat such subjects from the 
high plane of a true Christian sociology; and he gave his 
best thought to them, and has put this before the reader in 
its best form. A few extracts from this volume are given 
to illustrate, so far as they may, the thinker and writer: 

"Marriage is an honorable institution. 'What God has 
made pure, let no man call common or unclean.' God has 
pronounced it honorable in all ; and, when mistaken sanctity 
has set it aside, history has demonstrated that the conse- 
quences are but little less fatal than when licentiousness has 
ignored it. It was in the world before sin was, and is the 
only pure thing that has come down to us from before the 



86 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

Fall. God himself performed the first marriage ceremony 
amid the purity and sanctity of Eden, and the grandeur and 
beauty of the sinless Paradise; while the 'God with us' 
made his first public appearance, and introduced his ministry 
on earth by his first miracle at the marriage in Cana of Gal- 
ilee. We have always felt the fitness and beauty of the 
opening of this divine ministry in the family — that Christ's 
first work should be in the home. Here he touches, recog- 
nizes, and sanctifies the very roots of society. All begins 
with the family. Here is infantile humanity, the germ that 
is to grow and become the man, the nation, the Church; 
out of this first sanctuary are ever going forth the forces 
of society; in this charmed circle religion is ever to find her 
first and most genial home. The anointed Messiah, there- 
fore, begins his sacred ministry for the world at the very 
foundations of human life — he sanctions and blesses first of 
all a true marriage!" 

He thus speaks of the Family Altar : 
"Religion in the family culminates in the family altar; 
without this the piety of the household is incomplete, how- 
ever sincere and fervent it may be in personal or private 
manifestation. The piety of the family should express itself 
in a common prayer; that is, in a prayer which is the prayer 
of the whole family. When all bow together, and the father. 
as the priest of the family, offers up the one prayer of the 
whole family, then we have before us the crowning glory 
of domestic piety and devotion, and we may be sure the di- 
vine blessing is resting on that home, and that love, har- 
mony, order, and happiness are reigning in that household. 
Such a daily scene creates a peculiarly sacred atmosphere in 
the family. It becomes one of the most sacred and precious 
recollections of childhood. These pictures come up in fancy 
and stir up within us the dear home-feelings in after years, 
brightest among all the bright scenes which sin has spared 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 87 

to our world. When religion sits like an angelic presence 
by the fireside ; when calm content is nursed in the lap of 
simple trust ; when the world is conquered by the love that 
bears all and endures all; when all home duties are cheer- 
fully performed, and the everlasting home is kept ever in 
view — then it is that marriage rises to a sublime type of the 
union that exists between Christ and his own body, which 
is his Church." 

He discusses the Parental Relation from an exalted point 
of view, as may be seen from the following: 

"But why should we look on the parental relation as a 
burden, and see in the sacred duties which it involves only 
a grievous weight of responsibility? Is it not one of the 
sublimest mysteries of our human life? Is not the relation 
one of the most pure, and dear, and holy on earth? Are 
not the opportunities which it furnishes for impressing our- 
selves on other beings, for molding and training them for 
honor and virtue, among the grandest opportunities of our 
life? Is it not a delightful work to be permitted to train 
these young, immortal plants for a place in the garden of 
the Lord? to polish these living gems to be set in the diadem 
of the Redeemer? Surely it is a beautiful, rather than a 
burdensome arrangement, that these young, expanding, price- 
less, and impressible minds are committed to our charge, and 
that to us has been given the sublime work of educating and 
developing them for immortality and a glorious life. How 
the thought ennobles the parental relation! What sanctity 
and significance does it impart to the Christian family ! How 
do these immortal oifshoots from our own existence rise in 
our estimation of their worth, and grow in the depth and 
earnestness of our love, while even in their beautiful and 
helpless childhood they present themselves to us as beings 
whose interests and destinies are worthy of our life's devo- 
tion ! A young immortal plays around our feet — a budding 



88 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



moral being blooms in our household; such is its relation 
to us, and such its nature, and such the means which our 
merciful Father has provided for our use, that we may direct 
its opening life, unfold its budding being, and lead each ex- 
panding faculty toward God and heaven. We may stamp 
divine things on its young heart; we may write lessons of 
heavenly wisdom on its opening mind ; we may intermingle 
streams of sacred influences with the current of its flowing 
life; we may make impressions upon its expanding nature 
that shall endure forever. Say, are not such powers as these 
gracious gifts, rather than burdensome obligations? such a 
labor as this a beautiful privilege, rather than an onerous 
task? Should we not gladly turn to it as a delightful 
life-labor, rather than strive to evade it as a grievous life- 
burden?" 

A single paragraph from the chapter on Divorce: 
"Such protection and interference we believe are de- 
manded of the State for the preservation of the sacredness 
of this vital institution, and for the guardianship of her own 
subjects from oppression and fraud. She has a right to de- 
mand that all marriages shall be matters of publicity, and 
shall be known to the State. She has a right to declare mar- 
riages accomplished through fraud and force, or deception, 
null and void; in certain cases of peculiar hardship and suf- 
fering, she has the right to interpose for the protection and 
relief of her suffering subjects, so far as to deliver the suf- 
ferer from the legal rights and claims of the oppressor; 
and in cases of connubial infidelity, she has the right to de- 
clare the marriage contract obliterated, and the injured party 
absolutely free. Beyond this she has no right to go; less 
than this does not sufficiently guard this institution so in- 
timately connected with the peace and order of society, as 
well as with the highest moral and religious welfare of the 
race." 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 



The second-named volume, "China and Japan/' amply 
illustrates his powers of observation and readiness as a 
descriptive writer. Foochow was the field of his mission- 
ary work in his early ministry. Without doubt this city, 
and the country adjacent, had most interest to him when lie 
made the visit of which the volume is the graphic record. 
To the Church it has now become tenderly associated with 
his memory. He wrote about it with feelings different from 
those inspired by new scenes; we read these chapters with 
other emotions than those awakened by other portions of 
the book. We give a part of the recorded vision: 

"On Thursday morning [December 6, 1877] we found 
ourselves entering the mouth of the River Min, on which 
is situated the city of Foochow. The sun was just rising, 
and poured a flood of golden light over the beautiful 
scenery which skirts the embouchure of the river. We sud- 
denly tacked about from our course and bore into the Min, 
winding our way through a picturesque group of islands, 
called the White Dogs, and which seem like savage senti- 
nels guarding the entrance of the river. We can not 
express our feelings as we again entered this river after an 
absence of twenty-five years. . . . The scenery of the 
River Min inspires universal admiration. Travelers have 
frequently compared it to the picturesque scenery of the 
Rhine, but Americans find a better comparison in the beau- 
tiful scenery of the Hudson, which it equals in grandeur, 
and surpasses in the beautiful blending of rich lowlands, 
cultivated rice-fields, and tributary streams. The principal 
entrance to the river is narrow, bounded on each side by 
ranges of lofty and undulated hills, most of which, however, 
have been made to yield in many places to the ingenuity of 
Chinese cultivation, and exhibit in numerous spots along 
their steep sides beautiful verdant terraces, producing on 
their level surfaces a large variety of articles of food. This 



90 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

beautiful and striking feature, exhibiting the industry and 
ingenuity of the Chinese husbandman, is constantly repeated 
along the steep and naked sides of the high mountain range 
which extends along the northern side of the river, as well 
as on the more gentle slopes of the numerous hills which 
range in varied scenery along the southern bank of the 
stream, and the effect is too beautiful to weary the observer 
by its repetition. This narrow pass is now strongly fortified 
by the Chinese Government. 

" After passing between the two hills, which almost meet 
together at the mouth of the river, the stream widens into 
what appears to be a beautiful, hill-bound lake, enlivened 
along its banks with numerous villages, and dotted over its 
surface with a multitude of small boats, constituting the 
homes of a large number of natives who make their living 
by fishing and disposing of their supply to the people of the 
villages along the river. On the right bank of the river is 
a large village, Kwantow, where there is a military estab- 
lishment and a custom-house, which used to be the general 
clearance office for the city of Foochow. Continuing to 
ascend the stream, the traveler reaches another narrow pass, 
called the Mingang, with columns of rocks on either side 
piled up to the height of a thousand feet, between which 
the deep waters rush with great velocity. Beyond this the 
stream again widens into a beautiful, broad, and deep river, 
skirted on the north by a high, broken range of mountains, glit- 
tering every here and there in the sun's rays, with the torrents 
and cascades which rush down its precipices. On the south 
side it is adorned by alternating hills and large, level areas of 
paddy fields, through which in one place is seen winding a large 
creek, leading back into the fertile country, and in another, 
opening out into a deep ravine, through which flows a large 
branch of the river, which here returns to meet again its 
parent stem, from which it had separated a few miles above 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 91 

the city of Foochow. In the north-western extremity of 
this view of the river are seen two beautiful and, in this 
warm climate, evergreen islands, lifting their hemispherical 
forms from the bosom of the river; and about three miles 
to the south of this, at the other extremity of the scene, is 
discovered a large, triangular island, on the upper extremity 
of which rises the seven-storied pagoda, which has given its 
name to this island. This part of the river constitutes the 
principal anchorage for vessels of large tonnage. In it were 
now lying a number of sailing vessels and several steamers. 

"After ascending above the Pagoda Island, the river 
separates into two large branches, the principal of which 
taking a north-eastern direction, leads to Foochow; while 
the other, ascending more to the south and west, again 
joins with the principal branch about eight miles above the 
city, after encircling a large and fertile island about thirty 
miles long, and which, opposite the city, is six or seven 
miles in width. As soon as we rounded the head of Pagoda 
Island, we felt that the old Foochow of twenty-five years 
ago had wonderfully changed. As we turned toward the 
right bank to look for our venerable friend of twenty-five 
years ago, the high, picturesque mountain range of Kushan, 
we beheld, stretching along the line of the river, for quite a 
mile in extent, a large number of foreign buildings, heard 
the pufF of steam-engines, and the clatter of hammers, which 
indicated to us another great arsenal and ship-yard, owned 
and directed by the Chinese Government. Lying in front 
of these buildings were four very fine-looking gunboats, 
that had been built by the Chinese. 

"As we ascend the river the range of mountains recedes 
from the stream, and in irregular and broken masses sweeps 
along the northern boundary of the large amphitheater in 
which lies the city. On the southern bank of the other 
branch of the river is another high range of exceedingly 



92 ISAAC W. WIIiEY. 

irregular hills, whose dark outlines are visible from Foochow, 
thus completing the beautiful basin in which the city is sit- 
uated. One of these hills, quite abrupt and mountainous, 
called Tiger Hill, which towers up in the distance, just oppo- 
site the city, is supposed to have a strange influence over the 
destinies of Foochow. It is said that an early prophet de- 
clared that when this hill, which terminates in an abrupt 
precipice on the river's edge, should fall, the city would be 
destroyed. To prevent this great catastrophe two large 
granite lions are set up within the city walls, immediately 
facing the threatening hill, which are supposed to counteract 
all evil influences of this rugged elevation. . . . 

" Foochow is about five hundred miles up the coast from 
Canton, and about four hundred miles down the coast from 
Shanghai. The population of the city and its suburbs will 
not fall far short of a million souls. On the south side of 
the river is a large suburb called Ato, divided into several 
districts, stretching for some miles along the river bank. In 
the lower part it expands over a level plain, presenting a 
mass of buildings and a dense population, with some of its 
streets stretching far back toward the rice fields of the coun- 
try. Throughout the greater part of the length of this sub- 
urb the ground gradually rises from the bank of the river 
into broken hills, the faces of which are occupied with build- 
ings and numerous temples, and the summits fringed with 
pine and fir trees. Along the north face of these hills most 
of the foreigners have built their homes, while along the 
river front of this suburb they have erected their hongs and 
places of trade. 

" The best bird's-eye view of the city is to be had from 
the tower over the north gate. It stands on a dark, rocky 
eminence, a little to the west of the extreme north part of 
the city, which rises, first by a gentle acclivity, and then by 
a steep and abrupt ascent, until its dark summit, over which 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 93 

runs the wall, is crowned with a high, three-story tower, 
thus bringing you far above all the surrounding city. 

"From this point may be contemplated one of the finest 
views in China, embracing the whole vast amphitheater en- 
circling Foochow, bounded on all sides by the broken and 
irregular mountains, intersected by the winding branches of 
the river, and numerous canals and water-courses, dotted every 
here and there with little hamlets and villages, animated by 
the wide-spread city and its suburbs, and enlivened here and 
there by large paddy fields and cultivated gardens, all luxu- 
riant in tropical vegetation. On the right, at the foot of 
another hill, lie the romantic and picturesque grounds for- 
merly occupied by the British consulate ; and a little far- 
ther to the right, on a bold eminence known as ' Black 
Stone Hill/ after many a struggle, the Church of England 
still succeeds in holding its place, and its two buildings rise 
above all the plain as a city set upon a hill. At your feet 
lies the populous city of Foochow, with its teeming masses 
of living idolatry. 

"Only a few buildings rise above the general level to 
diversify the monotonous scene of the tile roofs. Beautiful 
pagodas, lifting themselves up within the city walls, and 
towering high above all other surrounding buildings, are 
prominent objects to the eye. Every here and there the 
eye is arrested by the tall poles of honor, indicating the 
yamins, or residences of the great mandarins of the city, or 
by the bright red color of some remarkably massive build- 
ings, which bespeak the localities of the various temples 
scattered over the whole city. To your left, on another 
hill, not far from a pagoda, you discover two beautiful 
dwellings occupied by the American Board Mission. The 
fantastic form of the city watch-towers, and the more reg- 
ular, square form of the public granaries, impart some little 
relief to the fatiguing similarity of the objects. 



94 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

"The city is richly supplied with large, wide-spreading 
shade-trees, which, rising above the buildings and spreading 
their branches over the roofs, give to the city the appearance 
of being embosomed in a vast grove ; but the noise and din 
perpetually ascending from below, the outcries and bells 
from the crowded streets, the beating of gongs, drums, and 
cymbals from the precincts of the temples, the noise of fire- 
works and crackers accompanying the offerings of the de- 
vout, soon convince us that it is not a grove of solitude, but 
is animated by a full tide of population." 

From these extracts the reader may form some estimate 
of Bishop Wiley, both as a didactic and descriptive writer. 
The elevated sentiment that permeates them runs through 
all the productions of his pen. Foochow, of which we have 
given a part of the pen-picture vividly drawn in his " China 
and Japan," has a special interest to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church — being the place where her first Asiatic mission was 
established as early as 1847. In 1858, four years after his 
return from his pioneer foreign field, Dr. Wiley prepared 
"The Mission Cemetery," a volume comprising biographical 
sketches of eight missionaries who had fallen in the work at 
Foochow — five of them in our own mission. The intro- 
ductory chapter is devoted to a notice of the city and the 
work to which these consecrated men and women had given 
their lives. It was written at a time when the abandonment 
of the field seems to have been feared. A few pages from 
this, his first book, will be especially interesting here, both 
as showing his earlier style as a writer, and as giving his 
portraiture of the mission work as it was in his mind and 
on his heart nearly thirty years ago : 

" Notwithstanding the variable history of these missions, 
the many that have fallen, the large proportionate number 
that have had to retire, and the numerous and grave obsta- 
cles, which have presented themselves, Foochow must be 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 95 

looked upon as a successful missionary station. These first 
ten years have necessarily been years of arduous and diffi- 
cult pioneer work, in a city hitherto unknown; among a 
people bitterly prejudiced against the foreigner; and through 
the medium of a language which no foreigner had as yet ever 
attempted to learn; which is difficult of acquisition, and in 
which the new and sublime facts and principles of the Gos- 
pel had never yet been expressed. Of necessity, then, the 
field was one of toil and difficulty; and we wonder not, 
in view of the vast labors resting on these pioneer men and 
women, so many fell. Yet a vast work has been accom- 
plished for Foochow. The Christian Church has been 
represented by thirty-six of her sons and daughters in this 
pagan city. Ten of them have laid down their lives in 
bearing testimony to our great salvation ; six of them still 
sleep in the suburbs of this city, their silent tombs yet wit- 
nessing for Christ — two of them rest beneath the soil of their 
native land — two of them await in the depths of the great 
ocean the coming of the Lord. One hundred and thirty- 
nine years of actual missionary labor have been given as 
the sum of the toil of these men and women. The lan- 
guage has been mastered and reduced to a method of easy 
acquisition. Houses have been erected for missionary resi- 
dences; schools have been founded; chapels have been 
opened; churches have been built; the Gospel of our Lord 
Jesus Christ has been preached; the Bible has been printed 
and circulated in the classic version; large portions of it 
have been translated into the colloquial dialect, and scattered 
broadcast over the city ; books have been published and cir- 
culated; prejudices have been overcome and removed; the 
great plan of salvation has been made known to perhaps a 
million of souls, and a deep and wide-spread impression has 
been made on this pagan city in favor of Christianity. 

"These difficulties have been met and overcome. The 



96 ISAAC W. WILEY 

night of toil breaks into the day of promise. Foochow is 
now an inviting field of labor. Its climate is understood ; 
the wants of the missionary are known, and can be provided 
for; houses have been built, and comfortable residences can 
be rapidly procured; the language has been mastered, and 
made comparatively easy of acquisition; the prejudices of 
the people have melted away; a large foreign trade has 
grown up; a large foreign community is gathering into the 
city. Foochow is rapidly becoming an important center 
of commerce, and the conveniences and necessaries of mis- 
sionary life can be provided on the spot. The pioneer work 
is nearly done. Henceforth there will be no such drain on 
missionary life. The climate of Foochow is delightful 
through eight months of the year; through the remaining 
four months, the only difficulty is the great heat incident to 
its tropical position, which can now be greatly provided 
against by the better homes of the missionaries, and by the 
numerous cool and refreshing resorts which have been found 
about the city. Unfortunate, indeed, would be the mistake 
of the Church were she now to forsake her mission at Foo- 
chow, or permit it to languish, just when her sons and 
daughters have finished their vast preparatory work, when 
the door is just widely opened, when the field is just white 
for the harvest, and thus throw away, on the eve of victory, 
these vast advantages for which she has paid the price of 
many precious lives. No! let us cherish the memory of 
these fallen missionaries; let them live in the heart of the 
Church; let the cemetery at Foochow, instead of startling 
us from the field, be as a precious voice from those that 
have borne the heat and burden of the day, calling us to 
enter into their labors." 

On another page in this volume is this description of 
this cemetery, which lies in the southern suburbs: 

"Stretching for miles among these hills, in the rear of 



EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 



97 



the population, is the city of the dead, the principal burying- 
ground of Foochow. Here we may wander for hours 
among thousands of tombs of every size, from the smallest 
conical mound, covered with plaster, beneath which rest 
the remains of the humble poor, to the spacious, well-paved 
and ornamented monument, covering an area of several 
hundred square feet, which indicates the resting-place of 
wealth and importance. Here, too, in a little secluded vale, 
covered with grass, shaded by clusters of olive and guava- 
trees, marked by its simple granite tombs differing from 
the thousands around them, and only separated from these 
curious graves of the natives by some clusters of shrubbery, 
is the ' Mission Cemetery of Foochow/ where sleep in the 
calm repose of death those precious ones whose memory we 
here preserve." 

Twenty years after he had written these descriptive lines, 
he stood again in the now historic cemetery; in his later 
volume he alludes to the feeling awakened by the visit, but 
does not try to express them ; at his feet were the graves of 
the loved and heroic ones, but about him, reaching even to 
the heart of the great empire, was the widening work of the 
Church; surely the mingled emotions of that hour — exulta- 
tion over the success of the Gospel, tempered by the mem- 
ories of the past — could not be put in words. Strange that, 
seven years later, he should return to that city, whose beauty 
was a charm to him, to close his life-work in the field of his 
of his early labors, and to find his last resting-place in the 
cemetery that his own pen had done most to make familiar 
to Christians in his native land. 

The tomb of Bishop Wiley is at Foochow — that of 
Bishop Kingsley at Beirut — the one on the eastern, the 
other on the western verge of Asia — nearly six thousand 
miles apart. Over the densely peopled lands that intervene 
still hangs the midnight gloom of heathenism; but the 



ye ISAAC W. WILEY. 

widely separated graves of these Christian leaders mark the 
presence of the conquering Church, and point to the ap- 
proaching time when the light she has kindled on the 
shores, moving inland, will dispel that gloom. Let all 
Christians see, in the hallowed spots at Foochow and Beirut, 
the earnest of the subjection of all Asia to the Cross — with 
increasing vigor and a flaming zeal, let them press forward 
the work to which their honored brothers willingly gave 
their lives, until their tombs sentry an evangelized con- 
tinent. 




^^*^f^^ 



V. 

THE B1SH0P. 



BISHOP S. JVL. IVlERRIIvIy, D. D 



tHE writer is fully conscious of the delicacy of his 
task in attempting to portray one of his colleagues, 
I , and finds himself doubly embarrassed by what would, 
y at first thought, seem to be helpful — the intimacy of 
personal friendship. 

If one would describe a building, or a landscape, and 
give a just representation of its relative position and ap- 
pearance, he should view it from a reasonable distance. It 
is so in forming an estimate of the official work of one 
who occupies, or has occupied, a prominent position before 
the public. A careful survey of what he is, and of what 
he has done, made in the absence of those prepossessions 
which come from friendly associations, might result in an 
estimate materially different from that which is formed 
under the influence of personal attachment. To me it is 
scarcely possible to dwell in thought upon the career and 
work of Isaac W. Wiley without feeling the nearness of the 
man — and feeling conscious that his impressive friendliness, 
intensified by sixteen years of the freest fellowship, may bias 
representations intended to be strictly impartial and just. 

As a preliminary, I wish to say that our departed friend 
did not come into the office of bishop through any self- 

(99) 



100 ISAA.C W. WILEY. 

seeking or management of his own. From the time his 
name was first mentioned in connection with this position 
till his election was consummated, no one ever indulged the 
suspicion for a moment that he was ambitious for the place, 
or that he was capable of turning his hand to induce any 
one to vote for him, or that he allowed his friends (who were 
most anxious to secure his election) to employ other than 
the most honorable means to further their object. His posi- 
tion in relation to the election was indicated by a remark 
which he was often heard to make, to the effect that "the 
office of bishop was too great to be sought by any man." 
He was seriously impressed with the responsibility of the 
office, as well as with the magnitude of the work, and ac- 
cepted his election as he did other providential allotments, 
under a sense of duty, regarding the voice of the Church as 
the voice of God. Neither was his election the result of any 
sudden impulse created by one or two extraordinary efforts 
in the pulpit or on the platform. It was the outcome of 
the deliberate judgment of those who knew him well, and 
had the best means of estimating his capacity and worth as 
a man and minister, after witnessing for years his unswerv- 
ing loyalty to duty. 

When Dr. Wiley was elected to the episcopacy, his 
preference was to continue his residence in Cincinnati, 
where he was pleasantly located and highly esteemed; but 
in the adjustment of episcopal residences it fell to his lot to 
go to Boston. He was quite willing to identify himself 
with Eastern Methodism, and to establish himself in that 
city. Yet the arrangement demanding his removal required 
sacrifice, which was promptly and cheerfully met. The call 
of the Church was the call of duty, and his faith in the 
wisdom of the Divine ordering was always firm, leading him 
to expect good to come to him and his even in circumstances 
that seemed for the time unfavorable. With confidence in 



THE BISHOP. 101 

God and a supreme regard for the welfare of the Church, he 
stepped into the broad theater of official life, with nothing 
lacking to make his consecration complete. Having ac- 
cepted the position assigned him, he did not consult ease or 
pleasure. It was characteristic with him to do cheerfully and 
heartily whatever was to be done. He therefore made all 
needful preparation, and with the least possible delay took 
up his abode in his new home. Here, with new surround- 
ings and with new work before him, he went forward in the 
prosecution of his official duties, and his labors in this 
field were crowned with abundant success. 

Bishop Wiley had a just appreciation of the episcopal 
office, but was never troubled with extreme notions of its 
claims to veneration, except as it was honored in its incum- 
bents by the faithful use of its functions for the edification 
of the Church, and for increasing the efficiency of the min- 
istry. In this regard he entertained an exalted idea of the 
value of the office. While he regarded it as an honor to be 
chosen for the position, his belief was that it was the duty 
of the bishop to magnifiy the office — and that this could best 
be done by the faithful performance of the duties it imposed. 
More than once have I heard him express the purpose not 
to hold the office longer than he could be useful in it. As 
he looked forward to the period when the increase of years 
should bring infirmities, and render continuous journeyings 
abroad burdensome, and possibly bring an abatement of 
mental as well as physical vigor that would interfere with 
the most satisfactory discharge of his duties, he was per- 
suaded that it would be wisdom in him to lay aside official 
responsibilities, and enjoy the quiet and comfort which an 
active life denied him. In harmony with this view, his 
mind was made up to retire from the office at the close of 
the quadrennium on which he had entered when called 
to the rest and reward of heaven. His desire was to do 



102 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



this while his judgment was yet unimpaired, and before he 
was beyond the period of enjoying home, or of being useful 
in his retired relation. 

Bishop Wiley possessed many qualifications for the office 
of bishop. His mind was clear, active, and well cultivated. 
His scholarship, if not profound, was accurate, and equal to 
the demands of his work. His acquirements were solid and 
useful, rather than ornamental. As a preacher, his gifts 
were excellent. If not distinguished for brilliancy, he was 
never dull. If not so grand or majestic in oratory as the 
few whose eloquence has given them renown, he was not 
lacking in readiness of speech, or in the power to move as 
well as instruct an audience. His delivery was always easy, 
his thoughts rich, and his words abundant and well chosen. 
Few excelled him in extempore address. If his lot had not 
fallen in the line of the general work of the Church, his 
superior talents as a preacher would have assured him the 
most important pulpits of the denomination. In addition 
to being an educated physician, he had experience as a mis- 
sionary, as a pastor, as an educator, and as an editor; and 
his record was good in all these departments of work. He 
therefore brought to the wider sphere of the superinten- 
dency a mind well stored, and well trained in the practical 
work of the Church, as well as an experience more extended 
and varied than is often found in the life of a Methodist 
preacher. 

Bishop Wiley was a lover of Methodism. This fact is 
purposely named in connection with his qualifications for 
the episcopal office. Without this, all other qualifications 
would be necessarily insufficient. He who takes the position 
of leader in the work of building the institutions of Meth- 
odism must not only be competent to lead, but deeply inter- 
ested in the work to be done. Bishop Wiley prized highly 
the doctrines, the polity, the usages, and the spirit of Meth- 



THE) BISHOP. 103 

odism. In early life he was brought to the knowledge of 
Christ through Methodist influences ; and he never ceased to 
regard with grateful affection the agencies which brought to 
his own soul the light of salvation. While not sectarian 
in the narrow sense, he looked upon earnest attachment to 
one's own Church as consistent with the broadest cath- 
olicity. He never apologized for being a Methodist. Nor 
did he esteem others the less for loving their own Churches. 
If he ever spoke lightly of any who professed to be Chris- 
tians at all, it was of those who claimed to have no denom- 
inational preferences, and thought themselves liberal in 
being indifferent about their Church relations. He thought 
that such persons were lacking in firmness of grip on the 
substantials of Christian faith. He loved Methodists as 
Methodists, and he loved Presbyterians as Presbyterians, and 
Baptists as Baptists; and he loved to see them positive in 
their preferences, as he honored honest convictions wherever 
he found them. 

He was hopeful for the Church. He was not troubled 
to find out reasons why the former days were better than 
these. To his vision the outlook for Christianity was en- 
couraging. He saw the kingdoms of the earth yielding to 
the sway of the Messiah. This gave him heart to work for 
Christ at home, and to plan largely for pushing the battle in 
the fields abroad. He expected victory. Nor was he fanat- 
ical in this faith. He knew what heathenism was ; for he 
had seen it in his early life, and had studied it till he knew it 
to the core. But he believed in God. His faith apprehended 
the divine promises ; and he never doubted that the heathen 
would be given to Christ for his inheritance, and the utter- 
most parts of the earth for a possession. To his thought 
the declaration, that the Gospel is the "power of God unto 
salvation," was a living verity, on which the Church could 
stand with confidence, and project her plans for the conquest 



104 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

of the nations. Such faith became him, and becomes every 
leader of the hosts of the Lord. Without it, how can he 
inspire the courage that dares great things for Christ? how 
command the confidence that organizes success? 

Bishop Wiley was endowed with a temperament that 
fitted him for the requirements of his office. He was self- 
possessed, and not easily disturbed. A nervous, fretful, or 
impatient man would soon wear himself out under the 
chafings incident to the work of the episcopacy. An im- 
pulsive, excitable person would be liable to injure himself, 
and damage the cause, by hasty action, or by unwise exhibi- 
tions of feeling. But Bishop Wiley was able to hold him- 
self in equipoise while others were excited. He could with- 
hold judgment till all the available facts were in hand. He 
could turn the subject over and look at the other side. The 
result was that his opinions were well matured before they 
were expressed, and his decisions were seldom overruled. 
His mistakes (and no one is without them) were from false 
or imperfect information, rather than from inaccurate rea- 
soning from the light attainable. This power of self-control 
is indispensable in the work of "fixing" the appointments. 
There is nothing that men have to do in this world that 
draws so heavily on the sensibilities as this particular work. 
In assigning pastors to their stations, the bishop is sensible 
that he is affecting every possible interest of the preacher 
and the Church. Personal, family, and social life are all 
involved. Health, education, adaptation, taste — every thing 
conceivable — must be considered; and questions of equity, 
justice, and relative claims for accommodation, must enter 
largely into the adjustment. He who has not within him- 
self a stern sense of justice, and willingness to give a patient 
hearing to every interested party, and firmness to adhere to 
his own sense of right when his judgment is duly formed, 
is deficient in essential qualifications for the performance of 



THE BISHOP. 105 

such delicate duties. Where every thing that is dear in 
life must be touched in official action, it is plain that rude- 
ness or rashness in the exercise of power would be intoler- 
able and ruinous. Of course, a man without sympathy is 
out of place in dealing with his fellow-men in such impor- 
tant relations ; but one whose sympathy overrides his judg- 
ment is not less out of place. Bishop Wiley was tender and 
kind, and scrupulously considerate of every interest com- 
mitted to him; but his calm judgment gave him strength to 
be just, as well as generous. When occasion required the 
emphatic negative, he was able to say "no." He was equal 
to the duty of maintaining the right, and standing for the 
welfare of the Church, even when sympathy for an indi- 
vidual would lead to the accommodation of the preacher at 
the expense of the cause to be subserved. Such conflicts 
between feeling and duty often arise in almost every sphere; 
but in no place do they come more frequently, or with 
greater force, than in the exercise of the appointing power 
with which our episcopacy is clothed. 

It could scarcely be otherwise than that one with his 
temperament would be reserved in manner; and this was 
the case in a marked degree with Bishop Wiley. In not a 
few instances, the inference has been drawn from his reserve 
that he was lacking in genial cordiality — while some have 
gone so far as to pronounce him cold. It is true that he 
did not open out to every comer with the same frankness 
that he showed to his tried acquaintances, and it was not 
the easiest thing in the world for a stranger to approach him 
so as to feel perfectly at home with him at the first inter- 
view. He did impress people sometimes that he was distant, 
if not selfish. Possibly, it was a mistake in him that he 
failed to cultivate a more frank and open manner, that every 
one approaching him should have been compelled to bask 
in the sunshine that really dwelt in his heart. In his high 



106 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

position, this would seem particularly desirable. This great 
office carries along with it the obligation on the part of the 
incumbent not only to be gentle, but also to appear gen- 
tle, to all who depend upon his decisions for so much that, 
to them, is often dearer than life. But where the natural 
temperament leads to reticence, and the habit of thoughtful- 
ness strengthens the disposition to be reserved, it is a most 
difficult thing, for one accustomed to be himself, to overcome 
his inclination, and successfully maintain a manner which is 
not the spontaneous expression of his inward nature. Few 
of us realize the full measure of the influence which our 
mere manner of intercourse with others exerts upon society ; 
and especially are we apt to undervalue the effects of reserve 
or frankness upon those who depend on our words and ac- 
tions for encouragement in the work of life. When we 
least suspect it, we are unconsciously affecting others; for 
the very spirit we breathe forms an atmosphere about us 
which attracts or repels, so that our most unpremeditated 
words and movements send out silent messages which are 
caught up and reported abroad, forming the reputation we 
bear in life, and largely determining the estimate that shall 
be placed upon us when we are dead. But Bishop Wiley, 
however reserved in manner, was not cold in heart. His 
was a generous nature — too broad in its outgoings to be 
little or unfeeling. His sympathies were deep and strong. 
If they did not bubble to the surface on every slight occa- 
sion, they did not fail to flow in a steady current in real 
necessities. They were not controlled by impulse, but reg- 
ulated by an intelligent comprehension of duty. 

Bishop Wiley was a keen observer of men. His early 
studies as a physician and a missionary induced in him the 
habit of careful observation in all matters pertaining to per- 
sonal character; and, with his penetration of mind, it was 
not difficult to acquire facility in discerning the traits of 



THE BISHOP. 107 

those with whom he came in contact. In one whose busi- 
ness it is to deal with men, as a bishop in Methodism must 
do, there is . scarcely any gift that will compensate for the 
lack of power to discern and interpret character, and detect 
adaptations for particular work. It is to some extent, no 
doubt, a gift or an original endowment, and possibly should 
be regarded as intuitive; but, whether it be natural or ac- 
quired, it can be improved by exercise in practical life — and 
our departed friend did not waste his opportunities in this 
regard. When he selected a man for a particular work, he 
seldom made a mistake. Of course he was sometimes de- 
ceived, as every one is; but his judgment was uniformly 
good as to what a man could or would do in given condi- 
tions. This soundness of judgment was partly owing to his 
reserve, or slowness to commit himself on hasty acquaint- 
ance — and in no small degree to his clearness of perception, 
and skill in discovering the dominant characteristics of 
those he met in social or business life. 

He was, in the good sense, a self-reliant man. In other 
words, he had the courage of his convictions. Like most 
men of real ability, he believed in the correctness of his 
own conclusions. This does not mean that he was pre- 
sumptuous, or what is sometimes called opinionated; but 
only that, after examining a matter that could be under- 
stood, and forming an opinion, he was ready to stand by it 
till fully tested. His feeling was that his judgment was trust- 
worthy for himself. He understood the processes of his 
own mind, and the integrity of his reasoning, and dared not 
relinquish the result reached till altered conditions, or addi- 
tional factors, required the modification of his conclusion. 
This is a philosophical cast of mind of the highest impor- 
tance in bearing the responsibilities of leadership in the 
Church, and one without which there can be no real greatness 
of character. In its highest development it produces a de- 



108 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

gree of positiveness which is sometimes mistaken for arbi- 
trariness, and a firmness that resembles stubbornness. Bishop 
Wiley was neither arbitrary nor stubborn; but that he was 
tenacious of opinions once formed, and found it not an 
easy thing to confess that he had made a mistake, is simply 
the truth, and not a disparagement. This kind of self-reli- 
ance is commendable; for he who possesses it will not be 
disheartened under the pressure of ordinary difficulties, nor 
will he falter in carrying out plans which command his own 
approval. He differs from the impulsive man who acts 
from feeling ; and has the advantage of all who depend on 
the judgment or dictation of others for guidance, because 
his convictions are his own, and his intelligence gives him 
both steadiness and persistence in the pursuit of approved 
aims by approved methods. 

As a bishop, he was self-sacrificing in the best sense of 
the word. To the duties of his office he devoted the ener- 
gies of his mind and body with unselfish consecration. With- 
out hesitation he went cheerfully to his work at home or 
abroad, in city or country, in prairie or mountain, in heat or 
cold, and was always the same untiring servant of the 
Church wherever he could benefit the cause of religion, 
whether among rich or poor, blacks or whites, natives or 
foreigners. In the plain, practical man that he was, the 
world would never look for heroic traits; yet his was the 
spirit of the hero and the martyr. Not that he sought haz- 
ardous undertakings in a wild, adventurous way, or was 
ambitious to be accounted romantic, or was fascinated with 
the idea of acting in a sphere that would attract the admi- 
ration of the loveis of the marvelous — nothing of the kind: 
but he accepted duty with whatever of peril it brought, 
knowing often that the peril was imminent ; yet he accepted 
it not for the sake of the peril, but for the sake of the good 
to be achieved. In this higher sense he is to be classed 



THE; BISHOP. 109 

with the "men who have hazarded their lives for the name 
of the Lord Jesus." It was in this spirit he entered upon 
his career as a missionary in his early manhood; and in the 
same spirit he went out into his wider mission as a general 
superintendent. With a constitution known to be frail, and 
health always precarious, he never faltered when journeyings 
by land or sea were required — nor did he consult ease or 
pleasure when rugged work was to be done in conference or 
council, in committee or board, at home or abroad. Those 
who have known him longest, and can best interpret the 
motives of his life, will not hesitate to accept the words of 
Paul as expressive of the sentiment that governed him: 
" Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might 
finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have 
received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace 
of God." Well might he say, as he did, while standing in 
the capital city of the Chinese Empire, and addressing for 
the last time his beloved missionaries and their native help- 
ers, with the celestial gates already swinging open before 
him, " My life has been an arduous one ; not much pleasure, 
not much joy, but a great deal of work, and much peace." 

In the presidency of the annual conferences, Bishop 
Wiley gave as general satisfaction as any one who has exer- 
cised the same office. No one ever gave universal satisfac- 
tion in that position. Human wisdom is not equal to that 
achievement; and it is not certain that angelic perfection 
would be able to compass it. But our departed bishop stood 
very high in the esteem of the conferences that came under 
his presidency. He was calm, patient, and conciliatory in 
dealing with men ; and clear, prompt, and just in his rulings, 
whether upon questions of order or questions of law. He 
possessed a judicial mind, and his knowledge of the Dis- 
cipline was accurate ; while his ability to grasp a legal prin- 
ciple, and apply it to an existing state of facts, was sur- 



110 IiSAAC W. WILEY. 

passed by very few. He was mindful of details. He 
listened to the reports of the work done in the charges, and 
sought to know who did well and who were negligent. His 
colleagues confided in him, and the preachers respected him. 
Every one felt that, where he presided, there was little dan- 
ger that the rashness of the bishop, or the precipitate action 
of the conference, would jeopard the interests of the 
Church or the preachers. 

One of the best occasions for the indication of a bishop's 
capacity is found in the periodical consultations which each 
one has with his colleagues. In other words, the reports he 
makes in the semi-annual meetings of the board reveal the 
character of the work he has done, and his method of grap- 
pling with the difficulties encountered in his administration. 
In these meetings Bishop Wiley's reports were always in- 
structive, and never failed to command the respect of every 
member of the board. His comprehension of the work in 
his hands, and his thorough mastery of the principles in- 
volved in the matters of administration that came before 
him, gave to his colleagues the highest satisfaction. There 
is no place in the Church where he will be more painfully 
missed, or where the absence of his counsels will be more 
sincerely regretted, than in these meetings of the Board of 
Bishops. 

In the meetings of the General Missionary Committee, 
and of the General Committee of Church Extension, Bishop 
Wiley was a great power. It is not invidious to say that 
he was seldom excelled in the skillful putting of whatever 
he represented in these gatherings. Here the chief officers 
of the Church bring much of their official work, and explain 
their relation to actions reported, and give the views and 
reasons guiding them in the conclusions reached. If one 
comprehends his work, and takes broad views of the genius 
and methods of the Church, planting himself on the solid 



THE BISHOP. Ill 

ground of law and duty, and rises above selfish considera- 
tions, the fact will appear in. the discussions that take place. 
If he sees clearly the needs of his own department, and 
proves loyal to the work he represents, and at the same 
time concedes the claims presented by others, so that he can 
be just and impartial in his final judgment — this also will 
appear in his work in these committees. Judged by his 
success on these occasions, Bishop Wiley was thoroughly 
qualified for his great office. Not only in consultation with 
his colleagues, but in those gatherings where other officials 
meet, he was wise, true, prudent, and eminently capable. 
Having clear convictions of what was right, and always com- 
bining dignity and courtesy in his bearing, he expressed 
himself with clearness and force ; and his opinions elicited 
the highest respect. If he carried his point he was grati- 
fied, because he was confident of the correctness of his 
judgment. If he failed, he acquiesced cheerfully — for the 
reason that he not only recognized the rights of others, 
but respected their opinions, and never questioned their 
motives. 

But it is not going too far to say that Bishop Wiley sel- 
dom failed in what he undertook to accomplish in these 
committees. If the matter was not important, he did not 
set his heart upon it; but if it was sufficient to enlist his 
sympathy, he was able to present it in such light as to carry 
with him the, judgment of the majority. He was not given 
to experimenting in administration, and was therefore slow 
to take hold of measures of slight significance or doubtful 
utility. He was naturally conservative; and the plainly 
marked path of successful work afforded him stronger at- 
tractions than the by-ways of uncertainty. One of the 
secrets of his success in these business meetings was found 
in the fact that he mastered the details of his affairs, and 
came into the committee thoroughly prepared to exhibit the 



112 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

whole bearing of his case. In this respect he has scarcely 
ever been excelled. 

The connectional work of the Church occupied much of 
Bishop Wiley's time and thought. In missionary affairs he 
was always interested, always informed, and always ready 
to speak or act. In the Church Extension department he 
was earnest and intelligent. For many years he was the 
president of the Freedmen's Aid Society, and was ever ac- 
tive, vigilant, and careful in managing the interests of that 
great benevolence. The executive officers found him wise 
in counsel, far-seeing to plan for advance movements, and 
bold to prosecute all needful enterprises for pushing the ed- 
ucational work among the people for whose uplifting the 
organization exists. The freedmen found no warmer friend 
than Bishop Wiley ; and they looked to no one with greater 
confidence for sympathy and advice. In regard to the 
cause of general education it may be said, truly, that Bishop 
Wiley stood in the foremost rank of the earnest advocates of a 
liberal policy, and that he was profoundly anxious to see the 
literary and theological institutions of the Church placed 
upon solid foundations, with ample endowments. Our pub- 
lishing interests shared largely in his sympathies. He looked 
upon the Book Concern as among the most powerful agencies 
for good, and he w r as one of the most trusted and sagacious 
counselors in the direction of its affairs. The missionary 
societies under the management of the women, for both home 
and foreign work, found in him a true friend, an able advo- 
cate, and a most intelligent helper. To his thought, also, 
the Sunday-schools formed the right arm of the Church's 
power. He saw, in the religious training of the children, 
the controlling agency for determining the character of the 
Church of the future. In a word, Bishop Wiley took into 
his heart the w r hole range of Christian activity — in the 
school, in the family, in the organized benevolences, and in 



THE BISHOP. 113 

the publishing houses — bestowing the wealth of his thoughts 
and energies upon all the approved methods of the Church 
for carrying the Gospel to the ends of the earth, as well as 
for building up the best types of Christian character and 
life in our own land. His was a broad horizon. Far down 
into the future he peered with faith, believing in the divinity 
of truth, and in the purpose of God to lift his Church on 
high, and make her the light of the world in conserving and 
diffusing the civilization which enobles humanity. 

In the truest sense, his superintendency was general. 
He looked over the entire field. Few men have made a 
nearer approach to the comprehension of all the Church is 
doing. He studied to be informed in all lines of her polity 
and plans. With the skill of a great commander, he mar- 
shaled her forces, and estimated her possibilities, and cheered 
on her warriors in the conflict with the powers of darkness — 
never doubting that victory would come, and that the na- 
tions would yet hail the glory of our exalted Lord and 
Savior. 

My task is done. It was to portray our departed friend 
in the office of bishop — it was not biographical. The in- 
structive narrative of his life is furnished by other hands. 
Not even a summary of his work has been attempted. We 
have looked upon Bishop Wiley in the strength of his man- 
hood, as he entered upon the duties of his world-wide sphere, 
and as he prosecuted his work in the presence of the whole 
Church. In describing him the ideal bishop has often been 
in mind. In many respects he was a model. In patience, 
in diligence, in fidelity and singleness of purpose, he was 
worthy to be commended as an example. Without prestige 
of name or fortune, with little impressiveness of person, 
without ostentation or demonstrativeness of manner, but 
with meekness and gentleness of demeanor, he has modestly 
gone in and out before the Church as a chief pastor for more 



114 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



than twelve years, winning the confidence and esteem of the 
multitudes that have felt the touch of his spirit: and now 
that he has gone from us — gone from home, from family, 
and kindred, and work — gone to the rest and reward of the 
faithful — the perfume of his consecrated life lingers to bless 
the Church, and will pass onward to coming generations, 
rich with the fragrance of heaven. 



-»*£^&IMf<?« 






VI. 

RESIDENCE <|N NEW ENGLAND. 



t^ff~^- 



L. T TOWNSEINID, D D. 



WISH I could write something worthy of our noble 
Bishop Wiley; but my own recent sickness and the 
distressing illness of my wife have rendered me unfit 
for any except routine service. I am very glad, how- 
ever, to add my few words to the grander tributes 
that I am sure have been sent you. 

From the time that Gilbert Haven, who was one 
of my dearest friends, entered the New England Conference, 
he had upon it a remarkable hold. No man living had 
friends who were more enthusiastic than his. When, there- 
fore, he was elected bishop, the New England Conference 
claimed him as its representative, and desired no other. 
But Bishop Haven was left to go South, and Bishop Wiley 
came to Boston. This was a sore disappointment to the 
friends of Bishop Haven. Many of the Boston group of 
friends came near resolving to be pleased with no one who 
might come in what was felt to be Bishop Haven's place. 

New England, upon first acquaintance, is, in its best 
humor, frigid enough; but, when a little out of humor, is 
to a genial nature well-nigh intolerable. Bishop Wiley, at 
his coming, was received with such marks of respect as are 
due to the office he held; still, at the outset, he often must 

115 



116 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



have felt that this official respect was cold and unattractive 
as it could well be. But how calm he was! He seemed to 
mind it not. Whether we had smiles or frowns to give, his 
face was placid. He moved among us as if he felt that 
his coming had been divinely ordained. He came with 
the serenity and firmness of one of the old prophets. 
But this must be said, that at his first, and at all subsequent 
public appearances he commanded the respect, indeed, the 
profound respect, of every attentive listener ; and that, in 
this latitude, was for the bishop a decided gain and a rare 
compliment. It was at our first introduction clearly mani- 
fest that a great and rare mind had come from the West to 
New England. In all matters requiring his official notice 
or action he made no mistakes. 

Those who attended the session of the New England 
Conference at which he presided shortly after his coming to 
Boston, will never forget, at least those who studied atten- 
tively the proceedings of that conference will never forget, 
the sort of triumphant conquest made by the new bishop. 
If any one had come to conference expecting that Bishop 
Wiley would be puzzled by some of the complicated ques- 
tions or matters arising, he went away with an entirely dif- 
ferent opinion. All such expectations before the third day 
of the session gave place to the conviction that Bishop Wiley 
was no man to be trifled with and no man to be easily dis- 
concerted. Hour by hour he rose in the esteem of every 
member of the conference. He challenged the admiration 
even of the most unfriendly. After that conference week, 
whatever had been previous estimates, our ministers felt that 
Bishop Wiley was no ordinary man; that he was really a 
great man. 

His mind was judicial as well as legal. Quickness, 
penetration, and wisdom characterized all his decisions. 
In his statements of a case he was incisive, logical, clear — 



RESIDENCE IN NEW ENGLAND. 117 

sometimes having a vein of dignified humor, which, however, 
was not hurtful — and he was always firm, unyielding when 
principle was involved, and stimulating. His versatility 
was a surprise to all, and a marvel to those who studied 
attentively his work and words. Upon every subject he 
seemed equally well informed. His remarks at "social 
unions," and at preachers' meetings; his addresses at con- 
ventions and conferences, seemed, in every instance, to con- 
tain the very best thought that could be expressed upon the 
subject in hand. 

His sermons before conferences and at dedications were 
not always characterized by oratorical impressiveness ; but 
were clear as crystal, and, without exception, were faultless 
in rhetoric and logic — in range they were grandly compre- 
hensive, always loyal to Christ and the Church, tender and 
eloquent in their appeals. As models in the art of ser- 
monizing, and as standards of Methodist doctrine, his dis- 
courses will be found equal to any now in the possession of 
the Church, and should not be left unpublished. 

Untiring, too, must have been his labors. A key to his 
life in New England is found in his last words : " If I die, 
I will die in the same faith in which I have lived. I have 
been a licensed preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for forty years, and have always tried to do my duty. I have 
not been a joyous or a sad creature; but I have been a 
peaceful, happy, hopeful Christian. I have never been an 
enemy to any man, and I do n't know that any man has 
been an enemy to me. I am at peace with God and man. 
I never intended to harm any man, and I have no knowl- 
edge of any man having ever done any harm to me. With 
a little modification I can say with Paul, at the end of his 
life, 'I have fought a hard fight.' I will not go as far as 
Paul ; ' I have fought a hard fight.' " We will say for the 
noble bishop, what his modesty stood in the way of his 



118 



ISAAC *W. WILEY. 



saying for himself, "He fought a hard and a good fight;" 
and there was laid up for him a crown of rejoicing. 

Personally, I esteem myself to have been granted a rare 
privilege — being permitted to see some of the more gentle 
and beautiful traits of Bishop Wiley's character not seen by 
many others. He was my bishop; I was, for a time, his 
pastor. No listener was more devout ; none more appreci- 
ative; none more easily moved by the love of Christ. There 
were no gems in the sermon that his quick eye did not dis- 
cover. His admiration of all things good was generous, 
and exceedingly helpful — which is better than extravagant 
praise. 

One of the rarest privileges of a lifetime was an inter- 
view with this great man at the death of his son. There he 
stood in that death-chamber, is standing there in my mem- 
ory still, confident in his faith — but with heart bleeding, as 
from every artery, trembling with deepest emotion, and say- 
ing: "Pray for us; pray for us." We knelt, we prayed — 
Paradise seemed not far off. 

Great, good, true, noble bishop, whom we always re- 
spected, and whom we learned most ardently to love, thou 
art worthy of the most honorable and affectionate chaplet 
that friends can place upon thy bier. 



%l 



VII. 

FREEDOM'S «1D S0G1E7Y. 



R. S. RUST, D. D. 



tHE General Conference of 1864 elected the Rev. Isaac 
W. Wiley, M. D., of the Newark Conference, editor 
of the Ladies" Repository. At this time the nation 
was engaged in a fearful struggle to crush the Rebel- 
lion, preserve the Union, and destroy slavery ; and the 
Methodist Episcopal Church had rendered such dis- 
tinguished service in this critical period of our coun- 
try's history as to receive the highest commendation from 
President Lincoln. Our bishops, editors, ministers, and 
private members participated in the conflict. Among these, 
Dr. Wiley had thrown himself into the contest with all the 
force of his convictions and the heroism of his nature. In 
his speeches he vindicated the action of the government, 
urged a vigorous prosecution of the war, encouraged young 
men to enlist for the defense of the country, and inspired the 
desponding with courage and hope. His logic and eloquence 
were electric, and his audiences were moved to the highest 
enthusiasm by his patriotic addresses — and it is believed 
that the ability exhibited in these efforts suggested him as a 
suitable person for the editorship of the Ladies' Repository. 
Dr. Wiley came to this editorial work, at the call of the 
Church, in the strength of his manhood, with the reputation 

(119) 



120 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

of a fine scholar, a good writer, and an able preacher. He 
fully met the expectations entertained of him, and quickly 
won the confidence and favor of the people by the fresh- 
ness and vigor of his thought, the beautiful symmetry of 
his life and character, and the persuasive style of his 
oratory. He became distinguished in the West for his 
ability in the pulpit and on the platform ; and his services 
were in great demand for literary addresses, anniversary 
speeches, and dedicatory sermons. He took rank among our 
ablest men, and held it with increasing favor to the last. 

He cherished a deep interest in the benevolent move- 
ments of the day, and impressed all with whom he came in 
contact with the purity of his character and the grasp of his 
intellect. He connected himself with the Western Freed- 
men's Aid Commission, an undenominational association or- 
ganized for the purpose of supplying the physical wants of 
the freedmen and establishing for them elementary schools. 
Its head-quarters were in Cincinnati. In arranging the work 
and distributing teachers among the freedmen, the Commis- 
sion declined to furnish teachers for schools connected with 
our missions in the South lest it should violate its constitu- 
tion and become denominational in its character, notwith- 
standing our members were contributing liberally to its 
funds. This discrimination against our schools led to re- 
monstrance, and a protracted discussion of the future policy 
of the association, during which reflections were cast upon 
our Church. To these Drs. Reid and Wiley triumphantly 
replied, and defended Methodism with such marked ability 
that their assailants quickly discovered that these new 
Methodist editors, who had just come to the city, were 
clear thinkers and eloquent debaters. This discussion has- 
tened action already anticipated, which resulted in the or- 
ganization of the Freedmen's Aid Society of our Church. 

He identified himself with one of our Churches, fre- 



frebdmen's aid society. 121 

qucntly filled the pulpits of his brethren in the city, attended 
the social means of grace, and cheerfully rendered any 
service in his power to advance the interests of Christ's 
kingdom. For years he taught a Bible-class in Morris 
Chapel, and its weekly meetings were seasons of thrilling 
interest and profit. He exhibited rare ability in explaining 
the doctrines of the Cross, and in elucidating the sublime 
truths of our holy religion — and through his efforts many 
renounced skepticism and embraced the truth. A leading 
member of this charge used to say, that, while Dr. Wiley 
was an excellent preacher and an able writer, he greatly 
excelled as a Bible-class teacher, and that his power and 
readiness in the class-room surpassed that of all men 
whom he ever met. 

The solicitude felt by Dr. Wiley for the success of our 
arms while a resident of the East lost none of its intensity 
in his transfer to the West; for here, as there, he conse- 
crated all the energies of his nature to the speedy overthrow 
of this organized force of the South to destroy the best gov- 
ernment of earth. He urged the enlistment of colored 
soldiers in our army, believing that those who should aid 
in preserving the government would be entitled to its fos- 
tering care, and that those who should bear arms, and fol- 
low the Stars and Stripes into the thickest of the contest 
would be rewarded with the rights of citizenship and man- 
hood. He greatly rejoiced in the Emancipation Proclama- 
tion issued by Abraham Lincoln, on the 22d of September, 
1862, declaring that, if the States in rebellion did not lay 
down their arms and become loyal to the General Govern- 
ment in one hundred days, which period would terminate 
January 1, 1863, every slave in said territory should be free. 

This is one of the great events in the history of our 
nation; and this great state paper deserves to be reckoned 
among the three most important documents ever issued to 



122 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

the English-speaking people — the Magna Charta wrested 
from King John, the Declaration of American Indepen- 
dence, and the Proclamation of Emancipation. This proc- 
lamation sounded the death knell of slavery throughout the 
whole world, and struck the Confederacy a blow from which 
it never recovered. The friends of the Union took fresh 
courage, the Confederates became discouraged, the surren- 
der at Appomattox followed — and the nation was saved. 

Dr. Wiley recognized the emancipation of the slaves as 
a providential call upon the Methodist Episcopal Church to 
enter the South with her evangelizing forces. No sooner 
had the slaves been emancipated than he began to devise 
plans to send them missionaries and teachers. As our 
Church had been active in emancipating the slaves, he in- 
sisted that she should do her part in educating and prepar- 
ing the freedmen for useful citizenship, so that freedom 
might become to them, and all interested, a blessing rather 
than a curse. 

A fact of great significance in this connection demands a 
moment's consideration. Our Missionary Society at this 
crisis had a surplus of funds in its treasury of nearly 
$500,000, the only instance of the kind ever known in its 
history ; and it was thus providentially prepared and encour- 
aged to respond to this urgent appeal for help in the South. 
The claims of this neglected people for our aid can scarcely 
be equaled by those from any part of the world. Our benev- 
olent associations entered this field to save the people ; but it 
was found impossible to accomplish much good without the 
establishment of schools for the training of teachers and 
preachers. This led to the organization of our Freedmen's 
Aid Society. 

Dr. Wiley was one of the signers to the call inviting 
Methodists interested in the education of the emancipated 
slaves to meet at Trinity Church, in Cincinnati, for consul- 



kreedjmejk's aid society. 123 

tation and action in their behalf. He took an active part 
in the deliberations of the convention which formed the 
Freedmen's Aid Society, and on all appropriate occasions 
advocated the necessity of this organization and its claims 
upon the sympathy and benevolence of the Church. He 
was for many years its honored president, and watched over 
its interests with a father's love and care. He spent a great 
deal of time in the service of the society ; delivered addresses 
in laying corner-stones for our buildings ; dedicated school 
edifices; made speeches at our anniversaries, and was ever 
ready for any good word and work he could give in behalf 
of an organization he so highly prized, because he knew, 
from personal observation and examination, that it was 
accomplishing great good in the elevation of a long neg- 
lected race. 

The society is greatly indebted to his calm judgment, 
wise counsel, and eloquent advocacy for the success it has 
achieved in our educational work in the South. He gave 
personal inspection to our schools ; frequently visited them 
in company with the corresponding secretary, and, being an 
experienced educator, he suggested improvements in the 
methods of instruction and government, commended meri- 
torious and industrious students, and criticised careless and 
indolent ones. He tenderly sympathized with our noble 
band of teachers in their Christlike work, and by his per- 
sonal presence and encouragement inspired them with zeal 
and enthusiasm in their labor of love. The pupils in our 
schools loved him, and were incited by his familiar addresses 
to earnest effort to secure a good education and a higher 
and purer life. 

To trace his influence in this enterprise would require a 
careful review of its whole history, for which there is not 
now time nor space. He thoroughly studied the whole sub- 
ject, attempted to fathom the depths of degradation into 



124 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

which this poor people had fallen, and earnestly appealed 
to the Church and the nation for help in behalf of this 
wronged and neglected race. 

At one of the earliest anniversaries of the society he 
defended its policy, and pressed its claims in the following 
impressive manner: 

"I made a bold assertion a moment ago. I said that 
this Freedmen's Aid Society was accomplishing greater re- 
sults in proportion to the funds committed to its trust than 
any other in our Church ; and I verily believe it. When I 
examine the reports, and see what has been done; when I 
look at the scores of schools, and hundreds of teachers in 
the South ; when I look at the thousands that have been 
converted in those schools; w 7 hen I remember that, very 
frequently, the Church at the South begins in the freedmen's 
schools; when I look at the fact that out of these schools 
come the future preachers and teachers of this great people; 
when I see them growing stronger, and coming up into man- 
hood, and developing themselves — and see rising, under the 
fostering care of this little society, men to stand in the fu- 
ture and teach in their turn: I agree with my good friend, 
Dr. Reid, in saying, ' I am unable in any figures, or system 
of calculation that I have command of, to measure the grand 
working of this society.' 

"It has another reason for its existence, and that is, in 
looking over the history of the world, we discover that one 
great principle of God's providence is this : that, though we 
are linked together as men, nations, societies, and communi- 
ties, yet we are nations, and we are nationalities, and we are 
races, and we are different peoples. And God seems to have 
written it from the beginning that every people shall be its 
own regenerator — shall work out its own development, ac- 
complish its own peculiar work, unfold its own peculiar 
character in the world. The African — the colored man — 



KREEDlVIEiN'S AID SOCIETY. 125 

must be his own regenerator ; and by those strange instincts 
of which we have heard, those almost divine instincts that 
God seems to have put into the colored man, he knows that 
simply putting the ballot into his hands will not make him 
a man — that it is not by simply opening the door of your 
parlor and inviting him in that he becomes your equal: he 
understands distinctly that he must make himself a man of 
intelligence, of integrity — and then he comes into the par- 
lor, into the senate, and into the pulpit. We endeavor to 
prepare these men to help themselves in this work of devel- 
opment; and there is no other power under heaven that will 
meet this case but Christian education — and the Freedmen's 
Aid Society understands this, and it is its object to provide 
for this great need. 

"I ask your patience for a moment to meet a difficulty 
that we find standing in the way of the prosperity of this 
society. It takes on this form : We are getting too many 
societies, we have too many of these organizations calling 
for money. The question comes again and again from the 
people : ' Why multiply these collections, and increase these 
demands for money for so many enterprises and movements 
of the Church V And now, brethren, who are making these 
demands ? Is it your preacher ? There is not a preacher of 
the Church that would not, so far as he is personally con- 
cerned, be glad to be rid of the mere labor of taking a col- 
lection. He did not make it. Did the General Conference 
make it? No; it was a mere organ to put into order and 
arrange into form a state of things it found in existence. 
Who makes these demands for a broad and large missionary 
work in the world? Our bishops? They are not in Africa, 
nor India, nor China; they have not opened up the high- 
ways of the world. It is not our Missionary Board, nor our 
bishops, nor our General Conferences, nor our annual con- 
ferences, that have spoken to the world in this way. Who 



126 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

knocked down the walls of China, and beckons the nations 
to come in and possess it? Who opened up the doors of 
India, and laid two hundred millions of people at the door 
of the Church, and gives this opportunity to the Christian 
world to come in and possess it? Who set at liberty these 
four millions of people, and then said: 'Go down and teach 
them, and evangelize them, and convert them?' Who is it 
that is doing these mighty things in this age in which we live? 
Who but God himself? Who is making these claims that 
come upon the preacher as well as upon you? It is God, 
who, in his providence, is bringing the world and laying it 
at the door of the Church. 

"Brethren, the simple fact is, we live in a grand and 
awful time. The mills of God are not grinding slowly, but 
with an immense swiftness; the car of the Gospel moves 
forward rapidly, and the man that would keep pace with 
it must run to keep up with God in his onward march in 
converting and saving this world. Whose heart does not 
beat quicker when he thinks of the grand and glorious time 
in which God has placed us? We ought not to be heard 
to complain that we are born in this time when oppor- 
tunities are granted to us, greater than those of any genera- 
tion that has preceded us in the past. We should be 
ashamed to find fault with God's providence in multiplying 
these grand opportunities for doing good. 

"These are also startling times in the rapid development 
of resources and means by which the Church can go forward 
and accomplish its work. God first knocks down the wall 
of China, and then says to Great Britain and to America, 
'Go in now and possess this vast empire;' and we say, 
'How shall we go?' And then he shovels the sands of Aus- 
tralia aside, and says, 'Gather up the gold, and go.' God 
says to this nation, ' Now, go ; the opportunities are grand 
and large;' and we say, 'Yes, Lord, we are willing, but 



B k RBE:DlVIE>^IS , AID SOCIETY. 127 

how shall we go?' And he breaks the rocks of California, 
and shows the shining gold, and uncovers the soil of Ne- 
vada, and it glitters with silver, and he says, ' Gather it into 
the Church's coffer, and go.' He gives to the nation and the 
Christian world these grand means at the same moment that 
he gives it a grand mission to accomplish. 

"I plead in behalf of this Freedmen's Aid Society. It 
is God's movement; it is God's work; his benevolent im- 
press is upon every page of it; his benedictions fall like a 
shower upon it in every way and in every movement that it 
makes. Take it to your hearts; let the Church look into it, 
examine it, and see the work it is accomplishing, and it will 
ever after be its friend and supporter." 

After Dr. Wiley's election as bishop, he became still more 
closely identified with our school work. He traveled exten- 
sively in the South, presided in Southern conferences, visited 
the schools and homes of the people, preached in the 
churches, and thus became acquainted with the destitution 
of the country, the ignorance of the inhabitants, and the in- 
competence of many of the preachers. Burdened in spirit 
with this sad condition of affairs, he turned his attention to 
our schools as furnishing the most reliable hope of success 
in saving the people, and in permanently establishing the 
institutions of our Church in this land. 

While he rejoiced in the liberal appropriation of funds 
to our missionaries, and in the rapid erection of churches, 
he took a very deep interest in establishing and equipping 
good schools, in which our young ministers might be prop- 
erly prepared to instruct the people and lead them to Christ. 
He believed that our Church was under the strongest obli- 
gation to give our young men in the South contemplating 
the work of the ministry an opportunity to obtain a good 
English education, and a thorough training in the elements 
of theology, and insist upon their improving it before cloth- 



128 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

ing them with the high prerogatives of a Christian teacher. 
He deemed it wiser to expend money in preparing young 
men to preach than in supporting ministers almost entirely 
destitute of ministerial qualifications and aspirations. 

At an anniversary of the Freedmen's Aid Society, held 
in Boston, May 22, 1873, Bishop Wiley presided, and elo- 
quent addresses were delivered by Drs. Mallalieu, Bar- 
rows, and Buckley. During the exercises, which were held 
throughout the day and evening, the Hampton Singers favored 
the audience with weird slave-songs. At the conclusion of 
the beautiful song, " We have heard from Heaven to-day," 
Bishop Wiley said: 

" I do n't know how they hear from heaven ; but they 
do. They get the news from there some how. They 
got the news from heaven when they were in darkness, 
sorrow, and slavery, even when they were forbidden to 
read the Bible. They also had news from the North ; they 
knew what was going on in their behalf. Some good 
spirit enlightened and guided them. Their intuitions were 
right, their expectations strong, their loyalty unquestioned, 
and their faith unwavering. They knew that God heard 
their prayers for deliverance, and recognized emancipation 
as an answer to prayer. And now they look to us with the 
same confiding faith to aid them in their weakness, and assist 
them in their efforts to elevate and prepare themselves for 
usefulness, so that they may realize a nobler and a brighter 
manhood. This is the people for whom our Freedmen's Aid 
Society pleads and labors. 

" Look a moment at this work. It is not temporary, as 
some imagine. It is an educational society for the freedmen 
of the South, and it is a necessity in our Church. It may 
not always bear its present name, it may hereafter be blended 
with the great educational movement of the whole Methodist 
Church; but, until we reach that point, the society as it is 



freedmbn's aid society. 129 

will be a necessity. It is a necessity as a specialty; not as a 
specialty in the sense of caste, not a specialty in the sense 
of prejudice, but a specialty in the sense of a specific work 
that must be done. It is the specific and special work of ed- 
ucation among the colored people of the South. No other 
society in our Church can do this work. Why should we as 
a Church do it? I answer, because the country is not doing 
its duty in this respect. For a few years, the government 
aided this liberated people; but it retired from this noble 
work too soon. They are now thrown upon the charities of 
Christian people; and, since the government has forsaken 
them, they become all the more worthy of our care and 
sympathy. Because they stand alone, and are not helped 
by other means, the Christian Church must come to the 
rescue. It is absolutely necessary, on the part of our coun- 
try, that this people be aided and educated. We dare 
not leave four millions of our citizens in ignorance and 
degradation. They are exalted to the rights and duties of 
citizenship, and they must be prepared for their exercise. 

"Then, again, they present their plea to us on account 
of the wrongs of the past. They are in a degraded condi- 
tion — but it is the fault of the nation ; and we owe it to 
them to lift them out of this as speedily as possible. They 
have a peculiar claim upon us as Methodists; and they have 
faith in us, believing that we are their friends, and that we 
aided them in securing their freedom. They call us the 
1 Mother Church,' and think they are getting a little nearer 
heaven when they get into the arms of the Mother Church. 
They are looking to see what 'mother' is doing for the 
children ; and every thing she does comes to them with the 
tenderest appreciation of the gifts of a mother. They are 
ours ; and we, of all other Churches, would be recreant unless 
we aid them, and lift them up to a higher manhood. We 
ought to do it, because we can do it and they are worthy of 



130 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

it. From what I have seen and known of this society and 
its work — and I have been with it from its beginning until 
now, and I know all about it, and love it as one of my own 
children — and it is my profound conviction that we have no 
organization in our Church that commends itself more en- 
tirely to the judgment, the love, and the benevolence of our 
Methodist people than this society." 

At the anniversary held in Pittsburg, December 10, 1876, 
Bishop Wiley presided, and made an address, from which we 
take the following: 

"What must Christian philanthropy do for this people? 
I put this question in an imperative form. It is not now a 
question merely of good policy, or of Christian charity, but 
of absolute necessity. We can not evade it or change it 
from its broad, imperative character. These five millions 
of people are here; they are just what they are — ignorant, 
inexperienced, cowardly, demoralized. They are American 
citizens; they are voters; they do hold in their trembling 
hands the destiny of this nation; they are in the same ship 
with us; we can not throw them overboard; they will make 
the voyage with us, or with us go to the bottom ; in their 
present condition they are unfit to assist in sailing the vessel, 
but admirably fitted for mutiny in the hold. There is but 
one road to safety: we must bring them out of the hold, 
and fit them to man the vessel with us. To depart from 
the figure : there is but one solution to this problem which 
lies before us as men, as Americans, as Christians. These 
millions of freedmen must be lifted up to a true manhood. 
We all know what a true manhood is — it is to be intelligent, 
moral, religious. To diffuse intelligence, morality, and re- 
ligion among this race is their greatest need — our imperative 
duty, and the nation's only safety. Every consideration of 
justice, humanity, patriotism, and Christianity binds us to 
this course. 



KREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY. 131 

"It doubtless will require much labor and much money 
to do this work; but we can infinitely better afford to give 
all that it costs than to leave them what they are in the 
midst of this nation. A torch of fire in the hands of a blind 
madman in the midst of the city is a fearful thing. The 
wonderful Versailles, with its palaces, its statues, its gardens, 
its fountains, and its cost of millions, has still, after all, been 
less costly to France than the Faubourg St. Antoine — that 
haunt of misery, poverty, vice, and crime, forever breeding 
filth, and death, and revolutions. Infinitely better is it for 
us to do justice to this people — to educate and Christianize 
them — than to find, some day, that ignorant, trembling, 
black hands have cast a ballot that has set this nation to 
reeling like a drunken man, or thrown it again into the ter- 
rors of war. God grant that we may be wise, and just, and 
Christian, in this day of our visitation !" 

We know of no better way in which we can give an 
impressive view of our work in the South, and Bishop Wi- 
ley's connection with and interest in it, than by a descrip- 
tion of a session of the Louisiana Conference during these 
perilous times. Bishop Wiley presided at the Louisiana 
Conference, in New Orleans, January, 1877, during the 
exciting contest for the settlement of its electoral vote 
for the President of the United States. Approaching the 
city on the evening before the opening of the session, in 
company with the bishop, we met trains of cars filled with 
jubilant passengers returning from active participation in 
the exciting events of the day. During the next few days 
the city and the country waited with the deepest interest, as 
we remember to have watched at an earlier date in the great 
conflict raging throughout the nation, for "news from Sum- 
ter." Then it was slavery that hung in the balances; now, 
the slave emancipated, with the ballot in his hand, holds the 
destiny of the nation. 



132 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

The Congressional Committee was in New Orleans in- 
vestigating the election frauds. Hundreds of persons, 
refugees from violence and persecution, had sought shelter 
in the city under government protection. They were a ter- 
ror-stricken company, and presented a pitiable spectacle in 
their distress and suffering — and the bishop's sympathies 
were strongly enlisted in their behalf. 

The Louisiana Conference was in session in Union 
Chapel, and thither we wended our way. A company of 
Christian ministers, from all parts of the State, had come 
together to report the progress of their work, obtain strength 
from on high, and receive their appointments for another 
year's toil. 

Many of the preachers, on account of the perilous 
times, were unable to reach the conference. Others had 
been weeks making the journey — hiding by day in the 
swamps, and traveling by night. We listen with the 
deepest solicitude as the names of these ministers are called, 
and as they give a report of their work an atmosphere of 
solemnity fills the building. It is a history of trial, of trust, 
of faith in divine support. Hard work, privation, and dan- 
ger have been their portion. There is no recital of per- 
sonal trials, anxieties, and dangers. The words are few. 
The story simple — no cant, no aim at effect, no attempt to 
play the hero. The times are too earnest for that — and yet 
what a world of terrible pathos is revealed above and be- 
yond what is said. Listening, our thoughts mold them- 
selves into reverential respect for a band of as true heroes 
as ever took life in their hands and went forth to do the 
Lord's work. The clenched hand, the averted head, the 
starting tear, are more eloquent than words. 

To these men, the Lord and the Savior are vivid real- 
ities — living personalities — to whom they could flee for con- 
solation and protection in their sufferings and persecutions. 



freedmen's aid society. 133 

One of the brethren, in reporting his work, said that he had 
held a revival meeting. During the progress of the meeting, 
the house was burned to the ground. The next day he rev- 
erently administered the ordinance of baptism to the candi- 
dates standing in the ashes of their meeting-house, and then 
they marched out into the "piny woods" and continued 
their services, when the baptism of the Holy Spirit fell in 
wondrous power upon them, and many were converted and 
cleansed. 

Bishop Wiley understood the colored people — believed in 
them and in the genuineness of their religious experience. 
He enjoyed himself in their meetings — and they understood, 
loved, and trusted him. Their child-like faith strength- 
ened and cheered him, while their weird tones charmed his 
ear and soothed his heart. There is but little circumlocu- 
tion in their praying. The human soul stands naked before 
a personal Lord, and cries to him for help in such words 
as these : " Lord Jesus, I wants you to take care of my fam- 
ily. Lord Jesus, you promised to give us whatever we 
asked for — you know you did. Lord Jesus, now I wants 
you to take care of my poor family, in dese dreadful times, 
while I 'se away!" And in those times such words had a 
world of possible dread in them. Many times during the 
two weeks of our stay kind friends, solicitous for our per- 
sonal safety, urged our leaving the city at once; but the 
bishop said: "Not till our work is done — these poor people 
need us." 

Bishop Wiley used to say that, without doubt, in the 
olden times, when these men had not the written Word — 
dared not learn to read it — God talked with them, not only 
in signs and wonders, but ofttimes face to face, and led 
them. They seem to lean upon the arm of the Lord ; and 
they have, sometimes, a sort of inspired, picturesque elo- 
quence that is marvelous. Here is a passage from the 



134 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

prayer made at the opening of the conference by Scott 
Chinn, nearly an octogenarian, and one of the noblest and 
truest Christian ministers that the earth ever saw: "Dear 
Lord Jesus, bless our dear Bishop Wiley, who has come to 
preside over us. Lord, bless all of de bishops, and set 
de whole bench of bishops on fire !" Another used this 
beautiful figure in prayer: "Blessed Jesus, we'se like little 
birds setting on de edge ob de nest, with our mouths wide 
open, looking unto Jesus. Blessed Jesus, fill our mouths 
with what we need de most, and what will do us de most 
good." Said another of these dear brethren: "The old 
devil has been chasing me these many years, but he has n't 
cotcht me yet ; and the reason he has n't cotcht me is, 
cause my life is hid with Christ in God — that is the reason 
the old devil has n't cotcht me." 

Scott Chinn was growing feeble, and it seemed best to 
superannuate him. The subject was a delicate one, for he 
could not quite understand the big word — and he had no 
idea of ever abandoning the loved work of preaching Jesus. 
Bishop Wiley explained it to him to be an honorable re- 
tirement from the hard work of an active itinerant life, and 
he became satisfied. After the action was taken, the bishop 
asked him to speak to the conference. Slowly and reluct- 
antly he arose : " Brethren, I did not altogether understand 
this superanimation. But the bishop, he understands it, and 
has explained it to me ; so it is all right, it is all right. I 
ain't a gwine out ob de conference, I ain't a gwine out ob de 
ministry. I 'se gwine to live with you, and I 'se gwine to 
die with you." Then he gave a sketch of his life. He had 
preached the Gospel fifty-two years; in which time, he said, 
"I hain't never brought any acquisation 'gainst any of my 
brethren, nor any of my brethren hain't never brought any 
acquisation 'gainst me. I 'se like the Archangel Michael, 
when he contended with de devil. He brought agin him 



ITREEDIvierc'S AID SOCIETY. 135 

no railin' acquisation. Now, brethren, I say I never brought 
any acquisation 'gainst any body." When he retired from 
the altar, he met face to face the venerable Father Ross, a 
brother who had been superannuated two years, and throw- 
ing his arms around him, they stood for some time clasped 
in each other's arms, weeping and shouting. Their skins 
being dark detracted nothing from the sublimity of the pic- 
ture, nor the estimation in which it is held in the loving 
memory of all who witnessed it. 

Bishop Wiley often referred to this incident as one of 
the most touching in his experience among this people. It 
acquires additional pathos from the fact, that these two aged 
men, now reaching with trembling hands but strong faith 
over to the other shore, had spent in times of slavery many 
weary days and dreary nights, fastened hand and neck and 
limb in the stocks, in the New Orleans prison near by, and 
their only offense was preaching the unsearchable riches of 
Christ. Here is a passage from Father Chinn's prayer, as 
the conference adjourned: "Lord Jesus, I want you to under- 
stand that I 'm perfectly reconciled. O Lord, I 'se come up 
to de place where all de great men and all de heroes come. 
De Lord came down from heaben and did his work, and died 
on de cross; and, when his work was done, he retired and 
went to his Father's house again. And George Washington 
fought de battles of his country, and was made President 
of these United States; and, when his work was done, he 
retired. And, O Lord, I 'se in de line ob de heroes; I 'se 
got one more dischargement — halleluiah; and when de dis- 
charge comes, de Lord will send a convoy'd of angels to 
take de old hero up to de throne. I 'spect to get to heaven ; 
and when I get dar, and when I 'se said how-de-do to Jesus 
a little, I '11 shake hands with all de old bishops. Dars 
Bishop Janes, and Bishop Soule, and Bishop Thomson, and 
Bishop Gilbert Haven. And now will de Lord bless 



136 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

Bishop Wiley, and be round about him till he get out of 
dis country, and be de cloudy pillar to him by day, and de 
fiery pillar to him by night ; and, O Lord, put thy arm ob 
love round about him, and may it be to him a broad belt 
ob living gold." 

No mere words can express the inspired earnestness of 
manner and the expressive modulations of the voice which 
characterized his prayer. He seemed to be so near to God, 
to talk so directly to him, that one instinctively followed 
the upturned eyes to see if the ceiling was not opening to 
show the divine radiance that shone upon the rapt face, and 
listened for the music of the angel choirs that vibrated 
through his soul. And those who looked on the face of the 
bishop saw in it an expression of exalted spiritual sym- 
pathy, that was scarcely less impressive than that of the 
old man. 

During the winter of 1883, the president and secretary 
were requested to make a tour of visitation among the 
schools, ascertain defects, suggest improvements or changes 
that might appear desirable, and report to the board. The 
tour embraced a visit to nearly all of the institutions under 
the care of the society. An elaborate report of the work 
was submitted to the board by Bishop Wiley, from which we 
select the following concluding paragraphs: 

"(1.) We take pleasure in recording our satisfaction with 
the places selected for the location of our institutions. Each 
one of them is so located as to meet the wants of a large 
territory — and they are so related to each other that their 
lines of influence so meet, as to form a net-work of educa- 
tional agencies over a very large portion of the South. 
Even with the experience of the present hour, it would 
hardly be possible to locate these institutions more favorably. 

" (2.) We supposed, when we started on this tour, that we 
should be able to see our way clear to recommend the re- 



FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY. 137 

duction of the course of study in some of our colleges to a 
lower grade, and to concentrate the course of collegiate 
instruction within two or three of our leading institutions. 
But our observation has convinced us that this is not practi- 
cable. Our schools are far apart, and have been so located 
with reference to future needs that it will be our wisest pol- 
icy to develop one of these institutions in each State into a 
college proper. We do, however, think that, in the present 
condition of this people, and in their present practical needs, 
they should not be urged to seek a complete classical educa- 
tion, but rather to become thorough in those practical En- 
glish studies which will meet their immediate necessities. 

" (3.) We were much gratified by what we saw at Atlanta 
and Orangeburg of the movement inaugurated to give the 
students an opportunity of becoming acquainted with some 
kind of manual labor, by which they can obtain an honest 
livelihood without being entirely dependent upon their men- 
tal education. We believe this to be a wise movement, and, 
under the peculiar necessities of this people, should be en- 
couraged in our schools. We therefore recommend that in- 
creased attention be given to such an education as will 
enable, as soon as possible, young men to go out into the 
work of the ministry, and others to enter the wide field of 
teaching their own people. 

" (4.) We are gratified to find in all our institutions a prev- 
alent high tone of religion and morality, and that instruc- 
tion was given in morals and good manners. We were 
impressed with the evidences of good order, politeness, 
cleanliness, and general good bearing among the students. 
Nearly all the schools have enjoyed revivals of religion 
during the year, and these are almost of annual occurrence. 

" (5.) We carefully examined the financial working of each 
of our institutions, and were impressed with the care and 
accuracy with which the accounts are kept, the carefulness 



138 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

and economy with which the expenditures are made, and 
the obvious concern of the officers to manage the interests 
intrusted to them as economically as possible. 

" (6.) It is a matter of congratulation that we have been 
enabled to develop so extensive an educational system on 
so small an expenditure of means, establish in so short a 
time so many schools of a high grade, erect so many excel- 
lent and valuable buildings, inaugurate so extensive a circle 
of educational forces, educate so many youth, and accomplish 
so much in the elevation of a needy and oppressed people. 

" (7.) We have been so deeply impressed with the great 
good accomplished by our schools in the South, and the im- 
perative necessity for the permanence of this work, that we 
earnestly commend this society to the liberality of our peo- 
ple, urge the pastors to raise large collections for it, and our 
men of wealth to endow professorships in these colleges, or 
to erect buildings for the schools suffering for accommoda- 
tions — believing that no work in our land is more urgently 
demanded, and that none will render a richer or earlier 
harvest." 

The Freedmen's Aid Society having established a system 
of schools of great efficiency for the colored people, and 
having thus vindicated its wisdom and ability in the manage- 
ment of educational affairs — and as no other organization 
in the Church could see its way clear to render the neces- 
sary aid to our white members in the South, and as there 
was opposition to the formation of another new society — 
it was deemed expedient by the highest authority in our 
Church to intrust the education of all our people in this 
section of the country to the management of this organi- 
zation. 

This society entered in good faith upon this enlarged 
sphere of effort, and its action in the advancement of this 
interest has been limited only by its means. It has aided 



FREEDMENS' AID SOCIETY. 139 

institutions established for the education of white people 
in various ways, relieving property from the sheriffs grasp, 
furnishing funds to finish school buildings, donating desks 
for schools, contributing to make up the small salaries of 
self-sacrificing and heroic teachers, and assisting promising 
youth in their preparation to teach school and preach the 
Gospel. 

At the dedication of the Philander Smith College, Bishop 
Wiley delivered an address — from which we make the fol- 
lowing extracts: 

"The object of this gathering is to dedicate this beauti- 
ful building to Christian education. It has been projected 
and carried forward to completion by the Freedmen's Aid 
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When our 
Church, at the close of the war, entered the South with her 
educational and evangelical agencies, she was immediately 
confronted with a very serious problem, the solution of 
which required the most careful and statesmanlike consider- 
ation. She found there the results of two hundred years 
of history. She found two distinct races, each having its 
own peculiar history. The one race had passed through an 
era of darkness and degradation under the influences of 
slavery. The other had lived under the broadening influ- 
ences of freedom. The one race had been developed, if we 
may call it development, under the narrowing and debasing 
influences of bondage. The other had grown up under all 
the elevating and improving influences of liberty. The 
white race had gained the education, the culture, the refine- 
ment, the wealth, the power, the influence of a great people ; 
the others were the heirs of poverty, of ignorance, of deg- 
radation, and of all the disabilities incident to two centuries 
of bondage. These different influences produced two dis- 
tinct and separated peoples; hence the great problem, how to 
meet the necessities of these two races. The problem would 
10 



140 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

at once have been solved, could they have met and mingled 
on equal terms. This they could not or would not do. 
What, then, must be done ? Both races imperatively needed 
the services of the Church, both in religion and education. 
The Church must meet and aid them both. If she can not 
do this unitedly, she must do it separately. She brings with 
her salvation in the one hand, and education in the other — 
and her high and holy mission is to offer these to both races. 
You may ask, Why not continue them together in the same 
schools and churches? We simply answer, They will not 
unite together. You may ask, Why not compel them to 
unite together? Then we simply answer, We can not. What 
then? Shall we abandon either race? Shall we let the 
white people go, and refuse to offer to them the Gospel and 
the means of education? Shall we turn simply to the colored 
people, and say to the whites, Unless you unite with these 
we can bring you no help? That would be simply to leave 
the white man unsaved and untaught, and thus perpetuate 
the prejudices and enmities existing between the races. 

" The Church has simply accepted the circumstances as 
she finds them ; and with her best wisdom, and with her ten- 
derest sympathies for all men, she is trying to meet the 
needs of all. The Methodist Episcopal Church surely needs 
no vindication of her sympathy and concern for the colored 
race. Through all her history she has protested against 
their wrongs ; she has worked for their good, and when the 
great trial came she suffered her own great heart to break 
rather than to be a party to the wrongs and oppressions of 
this race. When the war came that brought them freedom, 
she took her full share in the contest. When the war was 
over, her mother's heart yearned again for her poor suffer- 
ing children. She at once came to meet you with all the 
fullness of the Gospel, and all the blessings of education. 
She built churches for you, she founded schools for you, she 



freedmen's aid society. 141 

sent ministers to preach the Gospel to you, and teachers to 
educate your children. She has spent hundreds of thousands 
of dollars for you. Surely you can trust such a Church, 
that she will not be unjust nor ungenerous nor unwise in 
caring for any of your interests. 

" The Freedmen's Aid Society, one of the loving agencies 
of this great Church, for the first twelve years had confined 
nearly all its efforts in the South to the colored people, 
because it was believed they needed attention the most. The 
Church since the war has put into educational enterprises in 
the South more than a million of dollars. Hardly any of 
this has been given to the education of the white people, 
and yet the Church has more than a quarter of a million 
of white members there. She has determined to broaden 
her work, and minister also to the necessities of her white 
children; hence the last General Conference instructed the 
society to enlarge its operations and provide as far as pos- 
sible for the education of both races, and the society has 
entered earnestly upOn this great work, and already the 
impulse of this new movement is felt in every part of the 
South, awakening the people, strengthening the faith, and 
quickening the zeal of our faithful toilers in this field." 

There is wonderful fascination in this mission work in 
the South, and the bishop's interest in it increased from his 
entrance upon it until the day of his death — and in his dying 
moments, in a foreign land, he talked about his cherished 
purpose to visit once more his "poor people in the South." 
Those present did not understand the allusion ; but his asso- 
ciates in this work, familiar with his labor in behalf of the 
freedmen, and his plans for their future elevation, know full 
well the depth of meaning in those expressive words. 

The teachers who engage in this work catch its inspira- 
tion, take great satisfaction in its struggles and sacrifices, 
and retire from it with sad hearts. As there is no more 



142 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

self-sacrificing work done for Christ anywhere on earth, so 
there is none more remunerative in spiritual comfort and 
joy. Earth furnishes no happier toilers than those engaged 
in teaching the freedmen, and in leading them to Christ. 
The solicitude of the pupils to learn, the gratitude cher- 
ished for their teachers, their rapid improvement in conduct, 
character, and attainment, added to the elevating influence 
of this good work upon their own souls, richly compensate 
the instructors for all their sacrifice and toil. There is 
something very touching in the confiding trustfulness of this 
poor people, and in their earnest appeals for aid in their 
helplessness and want — and every attempt to relieve these 
sad and sorrowing ones, and lift them to a higher plane of 
life, is accompanied with a consciousness of refining influ- 
ence in the heart, bestowed by Him who takes the deepest 
interest in those engaged in relieving the wants of his suf- 
fering children. 

A short time before Bishop Wiley started for China, he 
said to an intimate friend: "Three causes lie very near my 
heart — China, Utah, and our work in the South; and if 
God shall spare my life a few years longer, I hope to do 
some good service for each : but, somehow or other, my 
heart has been especially drawn out in behalf of the colored 
people, and no work that I have done in the Church has 
been more satisfactory to me personally, nor more fruitful 
of good results. I go to finish my work in China, and 
when I return we will visit our schools once more and put 
them in good order, and then commit our trust to younger 
and more vigorous men." But while engaged in his con- 
templated work in a foreign land, and even before that was 
finished, God relieved him from toil and suffering, and took 
him home to heaven, leaving the work upon which his heart 
was set for other hands to finish. God carries on the work, 
though he buries the workmen. 



VIII. 

W@MP'S HWE M8810fMRV 80G1E7Y. 



ELIZABETH L. RUST. 

#w40RE than eighteen hundred years ago Jesus visited 
\I L the beautiful land of Palestine on a mission of mercy 
Jc to his fellow-men, and consecrated his life to the 
-gjL* great work of saving a lost world. He associated with 
the poor and suffering classes, and endeavored to 
lighten the burdens of the present life by awakening 
the hope of happiness in the life to come. He wel- 
comed to his companionship sorrowing ones from every 
rank and condition of life. Strong men became his associ- 
ates, and were inspired by his example to enter upon a life 
of purity and usefulness. Earnest women shared his confi- 
dence, caught his spirit, and fervently devoted their lives to 
his loving service. We can see in imagination these little 
companies resting upon the banks of murmuring streams, or 
in the cooling shade of the great rocks, listening with rapt 
attention to the mysterious truths that fell from his lips — 
for it was to these secluded places that Jesus loved to retire 
and commune with his disciples and friends on the great 
themes of human duty and destiny. 

Looking down through the long centuries of struggle, of 
darkness, and of death, may it not have been the purpose of 
the Great Teacher, in the unfathomable tenderness of his 

(143) 



144 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

love, to give the seal of his approval to the mission of 
woman, and her sphere of work in the Church, when he 
gave to her first the living proof of the sublime doctrine 
of the resurrection, and inaugurated her ministry of hope 
and consolation in the following encouraging message? — " Go 
tell his disciples, and Peter, that he goeth before you into 
Galilee; there shall ye see him as he said unto you." And 
yet the Church is slow to learn the value of woman as an 
element of power in the reforming agencies of the world. 

Bishop Wiley entertained conservative views in regard 
to woman's sphere of action; and, as it is the object of this 
paper to set forth his opinions in regard to the organized 
work of woman in the Church — particularly that of the 
Woman's Home Missionary Society, of which he was the 
special friend and patron — we shall, in doing this, employ, 
as far as possible, his own words, as we find them in his ad- 
dresses and letters. From one of tliese we take the follow- 
ing : " Blessed is the mission God has assigned to women, 
making them pre-eminently the preservers of the virtue and 
purity and uprightness of the world — and blessed is that 
arrangement by which they accomplish this grand result 
from the sphere of the home." His ideal of the home was 
broad and influential: "We have entered," he said, "upon 
a day when it seems as if almost a new revelation had 
dawned upon the women of Christendom in opening to them 
the great domain of making the world better and happier." 
If a new era is dawning upon us, welcoming woman to take 
her part in the great work of the world's redemption, her 
strength, Bishop Wiley thought, would be "in proportion 
to her labors in harmony with nature's great distinctions; 
and the potency of her efforts in these matters of charity 
will be in the fact, that she enters upon them in her wo- 
manly nature and endowments. Her value, in the great 
contest against intemperance, licentiousness, Sabbath dese- 



woman's home missionary society. 145 

cration, and all forms of social vice, is not merely that she 
adds one more wing to the army, but that she brings an en- 
tirely new element of power into this contest." Says another : 
"The force which works in woman, which gives her that 
marvelous influence which is scarcely second to any thing 
in the world to-day, is a force which is not gained by noise 
or by pushing forward into prominence. But in her own 
place, with her voice, with her example, with her training 
of children, with all that is beautiful and strong in her 
character, she gains control of the thought and method of 
those whose work is more manifest and more resounding 
through the world. The whole march of civilization is 
upon this line." 

He early recognized the importance of providing for the 
organized efforts of woman in Christian and philanthropic 
work, and he cordially welcomed every judicious movement 
in this direction. Those who have had association with him 
in arranging these interests will remember his kindness, the 
cordiality of his manner, and the careful attention with 
which he studied the questions involved in the great themes 
of Christian duty. Ladies consulted him with confidence 
and hope, feeling assured that their cause would have none 
the less careful consideration because it was "woman's 
work." His judgments were deliberately formed, candidly 
expressed — and carried with them the weight of honest con- 
viction. 

In these consultations Bishop Wiley manifested a deli- 
cate and high estimate of woman's motives and abilities, 
and in word and manner there was evidenced an undertone 
of genuine faith in her power to achieve success that was 
truly inspiring. He recognized the adaptedness of natural 
endowments, and the providence of opportunity, in behalf 
of woman in her sphere as well as of man in his, and he was 
generous enough to welcome both to the work for which 



146 ISA^C W. WILEY. 

nature and culture had qualified them. He would have ad- 
mitted that Elizabeth Fry, Hannah Ball, Priscilla Gurney, 
Elizabeth Walbridge, Mary Fletcher, Sophia Cook, and a 
host of sainted women were fully commissioned by these 
providences and adaptations for their peculiar work. He 
was liberal enough to have listened with sincere respect to 
Susannah Wesley in her public teachings, whom he often 
quoted as a model of womanliness and strength combined — 
or to the Quaker preacher, Rebecca Collier, who spoke with 
such persuasive power as to convince all who heard her 
that she was a chosen vessel of the Lord. 

He had studied in many lands, and among many peoples, 
the influences active in molding human character — and had 
become convinced that "the real power which is to move 
and bless the world is that which starts from pure and liv- 
ing centers, and thence radiates into the wider circles of hu- 
man life." He regarded the Christian home as the source 
of all that is true and beautiful. If the fountain head, be it 
ever so small a spring, should be impure, the poison will be 
mingled with the whole current till it reaches the distant 
ocean; hence this close observer of nature, seeking to 
solve the great problem of Christianity, how to lift up fallen 
humanity and save a fallen world, saw one sure way in 
harmony with immutable law — and that was to start each 
soul on its pilgrimage under the enlightening and purifying 
influences of a Christian home. Said he: "These are the 
real centers of human life; and religion, and education, and 
civilization, all reach their highest culmination in the reali- 
zation of a perfect home. The nation is still in barbarism 
where the home is wanting. The nation is still in a state 
of semi-civilization where the home is a mere secondary 
and unimportant consideration. The nation only reaches its 
highest ideal where the homes of intelligence, purity, and 
happiness are the real centers whence flows the national 



woman's home missionary society. 147 

life." Realizing how far we are, as a nation, from the ideal, 
it is not surprising that he should champion, with all the 
earnestness of his nature, a movement on the part of the 
women of the Church, which has for its object the elevation 
of the multitudes of ignorant and neglected women of this 
country. 

The Woman's Home Missionary Society is the youngest 
of the benevolent organizations of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the society is greatly indebted to our lamented 
Bishop Wiley for counsel and co-operation in organizing and 
prosecuting its work. He was among the first to welcome 
the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society to a place among 
the benevolent agencies of the Church. He said: "I felt 
that the time had fully come in the circumstances of our 
missions in foreign countries when the women of the Church 
might take an efficient personal part in the great missionary 
work by directing their efforts to the needs of women in the 
fields where the Church was working." 

He was among the first to perceive the need of a special 
woman's work in this country. Several years before the so- 
ciety was organized he was so deeply impressed with this 
idea, that he went before the executive committee of the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, in the East, and here, 
and elsewhere, earnestly solicited those interested in that enter- 
prise to drop the word " Foreign " from the name of their so- 
ciety, and, under one general management, prosecute mission- 
ary work in home and foreign fields. Not succeeding in this 
effort, he favored the special enterprise undertaken prior to 
1880 having for its object the amelioration of the condition 
of the women of the South ; and when it seemed advisable to 
organize a new society, those interested in the movement 
confidently sought his advice. In harmony with his sugges- 
tion the society at first, that it might not be overwhelmed 
with appeals for aid from the whole country, confined itself 



148 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 






to the South, but made constitutional provision for the en- 
largement of its fields, that it might co-operate with the ed- 
ucational and missionaries societies of the Church in what- 
ever part of our country special woman's work should be 
needed. In a letter to the corresponding secretary soon 
after the organization of the society he said : " Women must 
work for women in the mission fields of our own country, as 
well as for the women of foreign lands. God's providence 
brought into life the former organization in due time ; in the 
same timely way God is bringing your organization into the 
great field. To my mind, the work of Christian women for 
their needy sisters in our own country is now as indispensa- 
ble as for the foreign." 

He recognized the work of saving souls as one, whether 
in our own or foreign lands — and woman as a divinely ap- 
pointed missionary in leading souls to Christ. He favored 
separate organizations of women as conducive to the devel- 
opment of the latent missionary power of the Church, and 
he believed that a society might be organized for the home 
work that would not be less useful than the one already es- 
tablished in behalf of the foreign. As the General Mission- 
ary Society includes both the home and foreign fields, and 
as the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society devotes its 
efforts to the foreign field, he believed it essential that there 
should be a Woman's. Home Missionary Society, which 
should give its energies to the destitute parts of our own 
country; that provision should be made for all the neglected 
both at home and abroad — anticipating a generous wel- 
come for this society from all other missionary associations. 
Up to the hour of his sailing for China he was ready, 
whenever opportunity offered, to give to the advancement 
of the interests of this enterprise his wisest counsels and 
best efforts. The members of the several conferences he 
held during the last four years will remember that he never 



WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 149 

neglected an opportunity to speak a helpful word for this 
cause. He delivered addresses at anniversaries, and on the 
conference floor commended the society to the favor of the 
brethren. 

His extensive acquaintance with the conditions of the 
ignorant and degraded populations in this country, and his 
knowledge of the superstitious habits and customs of the 
people of foreign, heathen lands, gave to his utterances on 
the subject of missions peculiar weight and authority. The 
address delivered by him in the amphitheater at Chautauqua, 
during the Summer of 1881, was clear and concise in its 
statements, comprehensive in its grasp, and furnished an 
unanswerable argument for the organization and support of 
our Woman's Home Missionary Society. From this speech 
we take the following passage : 

"If there was no missionary America, there would be no 
India, no Church in the United States, no Japan. You 
know that the center, the heart of this great missionary 
work, is here at home ; and that the important thing to work 
out in the destiny of Japan, China, and India, is to take the 
highest and best care of the Christianization of this, the 
central country, from which are to come the forces by which 
these other countries are to be evangelized. . . . There 
are pouring upon us great currents of foreign emigration. 
I believe that God has sent these people here to be Chris- 
tianized in an atmosphere almost wholly different from that 
they leave behind them, to receive a Christianity that moves 
the soul, and regenerates the life and quickens a nation. 
It behooves, then, the Church, as these women are doing, to 
take this broad view of the matter — to take care of this 
country first. That is the supreme necessity of the day — 
the Christianizing of America, and we can depend with per- 
fect certainty on this fact, that, if we take care of Christian 
America, American Christianity will take care of the world. 



150 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

It is, then, for u$ to enter into this field of home missionary 
work, and assist the ladies in the elevation of the woman- 
hood of this country." 

The circumstances of the occasion gave emphasis to his 
words. Dr. J. M. Reid, secretary of the Missionary Society, 
preceded him in an eloquent speech in favor of this home 
mission work — there was the large audience, and the pres- 
ence of the officers of this and other Church societies. 
When introducing the ladies on the platform, Mrs. Ruther- 
ford B. Hayes, the president of the society, who presided, 
and Mrs. John Davis, chairman of the executive board, 
who was one of the speakers, Dr. J. H. Vincent said: 

"The mightiest of all the agencies that are at work in 
this world to lift it up to God is the family, and the heart 
within a heart of that great organization is a woman's heart. 
Back of every great movement you will find a great man, 
and back of every great man you will find a mother. The 
germs of the millennium are wrapt up in the hearts of 
mothers, and are in the very center of the American home. 

" In harmony with this doctrine of the Chautauqua plat- 
form, I am glad to welcome the representation here of the 
Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, which aims, in its own earnest and wise way, 
to reform and bless American homes everywhere, in all sec- 
tions of our land, in the East and in the West, in the North 
and in the South. The society in question has been singu- 
larly wise and fortunate in securing, as its president, one 
who has become widely known, not only in our own land 
but all over the civilized globe, as a faithful Christian, a good 
mother, and the representative of the most advanced ideas 
in connection with home life and woman's sphere. . . . The 
society here and now advocated is a blessed opportunity for 
woman, and deserves the cordial co-operation of every man 
who loves his race." 









woman's home missionary society. 151 

In Philadelphia, during the session of the General Con- 
ference, he held, for nearly an hour, a vast representative 
audience crowding every part of Arch Street Church, while 
he presented the subject of home missionary work in its va- 
rious phases, so as to awaken in the minds of those present 
the deepest interest and enthusiasm. At Little Rock, 
Arkansas, on the occasion of the dedication of the Adeline 
Smith Industrial Home for Girls, February, 1884, he deliv- 
ered a practical address, in which he set forth the duties of 
the people in the elevation of themselves and their children. 
The audience had gathered from all the surrounding country 
to witness the ceremonies and hear the speeches; and with 
loving reverence they listened, as the bishop addressed them 
with arguments natural and convincing, and won them to a 
higher appreciation of the dignity of labor, and the impor- 
tance of skill in all the womanly duties of life. 

It should be held in grateful remembrance, that almost 
the last work he did in this his loved native land was to su- 
pervise the work of the Woman's Home Missionary Society 
in our Western frontiers, and that he sent back letters from 
Utah and the Pacific Coast, full of wise counsels, that are a 
precious legacy to the society; and even from beyond the 
seas, during those last busy, painful months, tender mes- 
sages of love and interest were forwarded to the friends at 
home in our behalt. 

During the last few months of his life he seemed almost 
impatient to have the prophecy of these closing words of 
his Chautauqua address realized: "Let the whole Church 
rise up to say 'welcome' to the little one that has come into 
the family; and let us work with this new sister every- 
where; and in a few years, I am confident, we shall stand 
and look with admiring wonder on the power and effective- 
ness of this Woman's Home Missionary Society." 

Such was Bishop Wiley's faith and interest in this enter- 



152 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

prise; and it is one of the incidents in his life, so full of 
pathos in its vicissitudes of light and shade, that these two 
branches of missionary enterprise in which he had been 
most deeply interested and strongly identified should be 
brought in comparison in his thought during these last mo- 
ments of his life. The success of the one was personified 
by his medical attendant, a lady-physician sent out by the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and by the members 
of the prosperous conference gathered around him among 
the scenes of his early trials and labors for the inauguration 
of the Foochow Mission — while the other, the younger 
daughter of the Church, he saw just entering upon a career 
of usefulness, subject to the anxieties attending the estab- 
lishment of a new enterprise. 

Closing this sketch we, perhaps, can not do better than 
give a quotation from an address that may furnish the key 
to his estimate of the value of woman's work. The refer- 
ence is to the twelfth chapter of John : " It is easy enough 
in this instance, and others, to apprehend the high and true 
appreciation of woman by the Divine Master and Teacher. 
In every instance, Jesus recognizes woman in her true woman- 
hood. He always received her with loving tenderness and 
sympathy. He took her into close relations with himself and 
his coming Church. He never exalted her to any position 
out of her true character and work as woman. He gave 
her full equality in all the provisions and privileges of his 
glorious redemption. He gave her full and ample scope for 
all her womanly nature, capabilities, and sympathies. The 
exaltation of woman is one of the glories of Christianity; 
and no small part of the glory lies in the fact that, notwith- 
standing the exaltation, it leaves her still a woman." 






IX. 

MARSHALL W. TAYLOR, D. D. 

tHE motive by which Bishop Wiley was actuated and 
directed in the lines of work that afterward enshrined 
him among the venerated men of earth, and gave 
him both the character and the grave of one of its 
most distinguished missionaries was his Philan- 
thropy. He was a lover of humanity. He loved man 
as man, and because he was man; he gave himself 
little concern about races considered in their peculiar and 
distinctive characteristics. The question superseding all 
others in his mind was: How, without lowering, humiliat- 
ing, or disarranging the social order and civic harmony of 
the most elevated and prosperous in life and circumstances, 
could he aid in lifting the less favored men of every race 
to an eminence and a sphere of usefulness not less desira- 
ble and gratifying to well ordered and bounded human am- 
bition than that attained by the most fortunate of men ? 

He was a man of great and good heart. His impulses 
were naturally favorable to the helping and improving of 
the lives of men. In the best sense he was a resolute man, 
and acted from his convictions of what he regarded to be 
right. We find him generally in the van of executing 
modes for helping his fellows — yet ever moving in such a 

(153) 



154 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

cool and conservative orbit as to seem almost undecided, if 
measured by the movements or the expression of others ; 
but the full development of his ideas came soon enough, 
and, when reduced to action, they were always what they 
should have been, and on the side of progress. He was not 
for the weak against the strong; but he was for both the 
weak and the strong, wishing to make the best of each for 
the help of both. 

These traits of character eminently fitted him for and 
predisposed him to work as a helper in behalf of the weak, 
and as a mediator between the helpless and the mighty. 
He was, by his love for universal mankind, adapted to the 
very work which came to him as a Methodist Episcopal 
missionary to China, editor of an important denominational 
magazine devoted to social economies, president of an ex- 
tensive philanthropic association, and, in his capacity of 
bishop, touching and having more to do with the two great 
races of men, the Chinese and the American Negroes, than 
any other one person in his sphere in his age. When the 
character of Bishop Wiley is understood, all that which 
might otherwise seem contradictory to itself, or in opposition 
to the views of the more impetuous of his brethren, finds 
an explanation. His view of the relation of the races, and 
the duty of our Church to each under the circumstances, 
was declared in his address at the opening of our college at 
Little Rock, Arkansas. His words were not understood at 
the time, and were adversely criticised by brethren who 
misunderstood the needs of the hour no less than they did 
him. 

But, looking back from this distance, his purpose is all 
quite clear; and the Tightness of it no less so. He fa- 
vored every plan to elevate the people; and he was unwill- 
ing to delay action because any part of the people had not 
reached his own advanced position of inter-race and social 



THE} PHILANTHROPIST. 155 

ethics. So he favored doing all that could under the cir- 
cumstances be done for all, and of allowing time and right 
culture for whites and blacks to do the rest. This we all 
agree now was the better way to deal with our Southern 
problem. To meet the extreme views of the various ele- 
ments of our people was impracticable; to do that which 
was at least satisfactory to him was not. He did that; and 
he did it, too, with the full understanding of its ultimate 
purport and logical result immediately to himself, and, 
finally, to all concerned. To place the Negroes, with their 
poverty, illiteracy, and social inferiority, into congregations, 
conferences, and schools, along with the whites, was to eclipse, 
overshadow, and dwarf them. He knew this, and, there- 
fore, opposed it. This was the rule in ante bellum times, and 
resulted in thoroughly developing that docile and passive 
character for which the Negro has become more or less dis- 
tinguished. He knew, also, that mere docility and passivity 
were not desirable adjuncts of freedom, but that they were 
attributes of slavery; hence his deep and continuous concern 
for the formation of colored conferences, congregations, and 
schools in our own Church, and the training of ministers 
and teachers of the Negro race to supply them. But this 
disposition of Bishop Wiley resulted no more from love to 
the Negroes than it did from love to the whites. Not even 
Bishop Mallalieu, in his "March of the Saxon," could utter 
more grand things than Bishop Wiley felt for his own race 
of people. He was, touching the whites, a Christian states- 
man and a patriot; but, touching all men, he was a philan- 
thropist. It was his statesmanship and patriotism which 
suggested to him the plan of taking his white brothers in 
the South by the hand wherever he could find them, and of 
leading them thus ultimately wherever he would have them. 
His love of both Church and country taught him that neither 
could safely exist, if the whites and blacks were held to- 



156 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

gether by force in perpetual strife and friction. In this he 
followed his judgment and his philosophy as safely and 
wisely as did Mr. Lincoln, who perceived that this govern- 
ment could not exist half-slave and half-free, and struck 
down slavery to save the nation. 

Bishop Wiley depended upon sound doctrines and dis- 
cipline to bring desired results, and was content to labor 
that all might be brought within the reach of these. He 
concluded, therefore, that his duty was done when he had 
seen whites and blacks alike placed within their reach. He 
watched the progress of development in the practical work- 
ing out of his ideal with deep and zealous interest. He was, 
at every possible opportunity, flying about among the schools 
of the South with his companion and friend, Dr. Rust. 
Though deeply interested in the progress of these schools, he 
was never extravagant in his speeches and advices to 
teachers and students. 

At Nashville, Atlanta, Orangeburg, Greensboro, Holly 
Springs, Jacksonville, Marshall, New Orleans, and Little 
Rock, he was known and loved. This was so because of 
the thorough acquaintance the students had with him, and 
the full confidence they had in him. He was a father, 
counselor, and friend. He stood farthest from a demagogue, 
and next to a true elder brother for each one of them. He 
devoted much of his spare time to visiting among the col- 
ored congregations of our Church, thus informing himself 
fully as to their real condition and wants. He staid with 
the colored people, the better to understand them,. and to 
know their modes of life, habits of thought, and general 
characteristics at home. 

He used to surprise the colored presiding elders by his 
knowledge of colored society when matters came up for con- 
sideration about which they supposed him wholly dependent 
upon them for light. He went as much as possible to the 



THE PHILANTHROPIST. 157 

colored conferences, generally getting around when presiding 
elders were to be selected. It was a common thing among 
us to say: "We will have one old friend," as we called 
him, "this year; for there is a presiding elder to be made." 
Three diiferent times we had him in the Lexington Confer- 
ence, and each time presiding elders were made by him, the 
writer being one of them. Had he been spared, he was to 
have held our last conference, and would have appointed 
the presiding elder for the Indiana District. He expected 
grand results from our colored conferences, especially those 
of them that were wholly directed by colored men — such as 
the Washington, Delaware, and Lexington. Here he ex- 
pected a solution of the problem of the Negro's capability 
of growth into correct and accurate business habits. The 
success of these conferences always greatly pleased him for 
these reasons. His desire for the growth of this part of our 
Church work was especially evidenced in the various expres- 
sions he from time to time made use of. Some of these 
may be of use to show what the nature and manner of his 
intercourse with the Negroes were. At Jeffersonville, he 
was invited to dedicate a church. The membership was 
poor, but the pastor had arranged to entertain the bishop at 
his home. So did the pastor of our best white congrega- 
tion in the place. And, upon his arrival, both these pastors 
stood waiting at the depot to receive him. Invitations were 
cordially given, and the matter left to his judgment and de- 
cision. Without hesitation, he announced his decision to go 
with Brother Bryant, the colored pastor, saying that he re- 
garded it as his duty to do so because he was to officiate at 
his church. Being invited to dedicate a church at Con- 
nersville, Indiana, he made his home with Mr. Turner, a 
well-to-do colored citizen, a member of our Church — and 
in conversation afterward he referred to it as an excellent 
home. He dedicated Wiley Chapel, Springfield, Ohio, and 



158 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

the colored people of all Churches gave him the name of "our 
bishop." We had a camp-meeting; and some things com- 
ing to his ears which were to the prejudice of good order, 
he called the writer to him, and,^after inquiring into all the 
facts, said: "Teach the people to be like white folks. More 
is expected of our colored people than there is of others." 
When he handed the writer Bishop Peck's letter appointing 
him a presiding elder, he said: "Now, Taylor, you have the 
ability, and we are expecting a great deal of you. We shall 
be disappointed if you fail." 

Bishop Wiley was one of the first to suggest the pur- 
chase of Union Chapel, in Cincinnati, as a house of worship 
for the colored Methodists, instead of their church on New 
Street, which had become too small. This chapel was held 
by the trustees of Wesley, Saint Paul, and Trinity Churches; 
and he urged, labored for, and, by his persistent efforts, 
finally succeeded in securing the transfer of their interests 
to the colored brethren. The Church Extension Board came 
to our help with a liberal gift; and when we became sorely 
embarrassed in making the necessary payments, we called 
upon the bishop for counsel and help. After fully discus- 
sing the matter, he said: "Do every thing you can, and 
have our colored people do their best; but remember, that 
only in that way can the colored people retain their use of 
that property." In a little while Dr., now Bishop, Walden 
handed us a deed to Union Chapel building, and a little 
later Dr. Rust advanced the necessary amount to secure the 
ground, and so relieved us from an onerous burden until the 
people could arrange for removing it. Such, in brief, was 
the life and work of Bishop Wiley, as the writer knew it. 
Forever blessed be his memory ! 



X. 



MTERKRY GHaRaGTER, 



S. W. WILLIAMS, A. M. 

jjT I T was the fortune of Isaac W. Wiley to be elected the 
Jr successor of one who had no superior in the Church as 
conductor of a public journal. Every one knew his 
predecessor. They knew that his place could be filled 
only with difficulty. It required gifts of a peculiar 
order to do what Bishop Clark had done on the Ladies' 
Repository; yet the new editor soon sat in the chair 
editorial like one accustomed to the position. Two things 
were required of him : to conduct the magazine and to edit 
books. Both he did well, as one "to the manner born." He 
had not been specially known as a man of letters, nor was 
his reputation as a scholar extended beyond a narrow circle ; 
but his friends soon felt that no mistake had been made in 
his appointment to an editorial position. 

If genius consists in extraordinary ability, Dr. Wiley 
was not gifted with genius ; but he had what is far better — 
the capacity to learn, and the faculty to use. If to be a 
man of letters is to be thoroughly acquainted with litera- 
ture, or to be an author of works which are praised in lit- 
erary circles, he was not a man of letters. Nor was he a 
critic. Sifting statements, comparing facts, elaborating argu- 
ments, weighing probabilities, examining into the niceties 

(159) 



160 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

of style and the intricacies of speech formed no part of his 
mental constitution. Generality, not detail, characterized 
his literary labor. Of poetic composition he was only an 
admirer, not a connoisseur. His ear for rhythm was not 
quite perfect, and he could scan poetic measures only by his 
fingers. Perhaps he had not trained himself to distinguish 
between cadence in verse and melody in song; yet he could 
distinguish the sentiments, and feel a pleasure in the poetic 
thought, though he failed in his recognition of what consti- 
tutes perfect poetic diction. So, too, in pictures and paint- 
ing, kindred arts — he had the feeling, but not the training. 
He judged of their merits not by rule, but by heart; what 
pleased him, rather than what harmonies exist between 
coloring and distance, exactness of form and strength of in- 
vention, was the rule by which he decided. 

He was not a very polished writer. His style was 
solid, not showy ; somewhat discursive ; and plain, rather 
than ornamented. It possessed neither the elegance of 
Thomson nor the sparkle of Gilbert Haven; it lacked both 
vigor and lightsomeness. But he wrote in good English, 
committing no errors in syntax, and few in the applica- 
tion of his words. He said what he thought in homely 
guise; and his readers could get at his meaning without 
the help of foot-notes or glossary. But far different was 
his spoken style when delivering a sermon, or making an 
address. He seemed to be able "to think upon his feet" 
better than when sitting at the desk. In speaking, he had 
the enthusiasm of his subject, the sympathy of his hearers, 
and the inspiration of the occasion. Then his thoughts 
glowed; his words, well chosen, fitted into their places in 
regular order and succession — they were " apples of gold in 
baskets of silver." A phonographic report of some of his 
sermons would scarcely do justice to the speaker, because it 
could not reproduce the charm of his voice and manner. 



LITERARY CHARACTER. 161 

The greatest orator of the modern Church was Whitefield; 
yet his printed sermons are trivial. Patrick Henry was our 
chief master of forensic eloquence; but no one would guess 
so from reading his extant speeches. If Bishop Wiley 
lacked the exceptional eloquence of Durbin, and the impas- 
sioned delivery of Simpson, his flights of oratory were bet- 
ter sustained than those of either. He was equal from first 
to last — neither soaring very high nor dropping low. 

In literary judgments he was in general merciful. He 
often allowed his sympathies to influence his decisions; yet 
not so as to endanger the departments under his charge. He 
often said there were two kinds of manuscripts he liked to 
receive— those that were so good that they required no edit- 
ing, and those that were so bad that they could go into the 
waste-basket without reading them through. The kind 
which gave him the most work were those which were 
scarcely good enough to print without revision, and were yet 
too meritorious to throw away. "It is not necessary," he 
used to say, "to drink a whole cask of wine to decide upon 
its quality ; nor need we to read an article through to know 
whether it is good. In either case, a single sip is sufficient." 
Yet, if he determined that a manuscript was good enough 
to use, he carefully edited it, following the rule laid down 
by his predecessor: "Never change a writer's rhetoric. A 
man's style is his own; only see that he makes use of pure 
English, and writes correctly though he may write crudely." 
Hence he seldom changed the language, however harsh or 
unmusical, provided it was proper. He simply took care 
that the sentences were properly paragraphed, that they 
could be parsed syntactically, and that the words used by 
the writer were not applied in an unusual sense. Uncom- 
mon words — "dictionary words" — were an abomination 
with him, both in speaking and writing. In initiating the 
Golden Hours — a magazine for the young people of the 



162 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

Church — while he endeavored to make it equal to their ca- 
pacities, he aimed to give the reader a taste for literature 
of a higher order. He would not dilute it with wishy-washy 
stun for children, for he believed, with the classic Roman 
poet, that "to a child the greatest reverence is due " — and 
that child was not by him to be treated as a human play- 
thing, but as a being only a little lower than the angels 
and an heir of all immortality. Hence, while he conducted 
the magazine, he did it to develop, not to amuse; to instruct, 
not to mislead; and he was as careful of its literature as he 
was of its tone. Only the best is good enough for the 
young. 

He does not seem to have been widely acquainted with 
what is denominated " polite literature ;" yet his range of 
information embraced nearly all subjects of human thought. 
He was fonder of metaphysics and philosophy than of poe- 
try; and I doubt whether he regarded any species of verse 
superior to that found in the hymn-book. He read Shake- 
speare, and had a passing acquaintance with Milton; but 
neither of them was, with him, an object of study — he read 
them more as a duty than a pleasure. In lighter litera- 
ture, he preferred the sentimental to the exciting, the beau- 
tiful to the elaborate. The plot was indifferent, if the 
characters and scenes were truthful. Novels he read, indeed ; 
but, like the Oxford mathematical professor who thought 
"Paradise Lost" a fine poem, but inquired "what does it 
prove?" he asked, What is the profit? If they did not 
suggest new thoughts, direct the imagination on new flights, 
enrich the fancy or inform the understanding, it was re- 
garded by him as a waste of time to go through them. A 
friend of ours sometimes asked him, when editor, to give 
him an occasional novel among those which came for notice 
to the editorial office, "to help make me forget" he said. 
Reading does, it is true, divert the mind, and may charm 






LITERARY CHARACTER. 163 

away thought; but Bishop Wiley never drowned personal 
and family care in fictitious literature. Philosophy, religion 
aside, more than romance was the solacer of his woes. A 
friend once asked him if he had ever read " Don Quixote." 
On his replying "No/' his friend said: "I envy you the 
pleasure that is in store for you" — but it is doubtful whether 
he ever had that "pleasure." Life with him was too full of 
reality to dream any of it away in needless amusement. 
Much of the world's reputable literature he passed by, as 
neither leading the soul to Christ nor otherwise tending to 
the knowledge and glory of God. He had no penchant for 
"the classics;" yet he could read the Latin authors, and 
was acquainted with the original languages of the Old and 
New Testaments. These he regarded not for their own 
sake, but as a means to an end — a better knowledge of the 
mind of the Spirit, and a larger view of the plan of salva- 
tion as revealed through Christ. 

His reading was select, and he usually read rapidly. 
It was easy for him to trace "the thread of the argument 
through the staple of verbosity," and some books he took in 
by a rapid glance at their pages. Others he went through 
more slowly. To scientific literature he gave more time 
than to belles-lettres. His early medical training had pre- 
disposed him to those studies in which nature constitutes a 
large chapter; but however interested he was in physical 
history, he preferred the metaphysical. He could talk 
lucidly upon either; but in theology — the history of human 
depravity, the remedial scheme, the doctrine of salvation by 
faith, and the benefits of the gospel — he was specially at 
home. He had seen the extremes of society, and knew it 
in all its phases. He had learned the minds and manners 
of many men, from their most degraded condition to their 
best estate. The worst in heathenism and the best in 
Christendom had come alike under his observation ; nor was 



164 ISAAC W. WILEY, 

it a passing glance which he gave to each, but he had lived 
with both in intimate association, and he knew both. 

In study he was methodical, and he never snatched at 
conclusions. The ladder of knowledge he climbed step by 
step. As "there is no royal road to geometry," and those 
who will master its truths must first learn its principles, so 
he never advanced to his omega without first gaining to 
himself his alpha. Whatever may have been his intuitions, 
he bated to be sure of his premises and his processes; hence, 
his acquisitions were his to keep and to use, not to waste or 
to lose. This habit gave him an easy control of his knowl- 
edge. His mind was not a junk-shop, but a repository; 
not a bin filled with shreds and patches of information, but 
a treasure-house, from w r hich he was able to bring forth 
things both new and old. 

He had the happy faculty of being able to work in the 
midst of interruption. Though he liked quiet, he did not 
impose restraint on callers, and his doors were never 
locked. Accessible at all times, he was the servant of all; 
but he did not allow himself to spend time in idle talk or 
badinage, nor did others trespass upon his good nature too 
far in this direction. Sometimes, wearied with the labors 
of the pen, or the examination of books and manuscripts — 
and there were many that required thorough editing — he 
"let himself out." Though usually reticent about him- 
self, he conversed freely with his assistant, and mentioned 
matters of personal history in his earlier life, and in his 
missionary work, to illustrate some topic of his talk. 

His conversational powers were good. He enjoyed con- 
versation with others, as a species of mental exhilaration. 
It was restful to him to talk with his friends; and, though 
he was not fond of gossip, he did not spurn light chit-chat 
on the common topics of the day. He had his likes and 
his antipathies ; but he did not utter words to the discredit 



LITERARY CHARACTER, 165 

of others. He was discriminating in his praises, and he 
did not rudely censure. If he was capable of blame, he 
was also capable of commendation. He endeavored to 
exercise toward those who differed with him the charity 
that thinketh no evil. If any one spoke to his discredit, 
he at least had no enmity: 

"He let the present injury die, 
And long forgot the past." 

But Bishop Wiley was not weak. It requires courage 
of the highest type to forgive an injury — much more to 
overlook sneers and misrepresentations. This he could do. 
Though he consciously made no enemies, it was natural that 
he and others should not think alike upon matters of eccle- 
siastical polity. He was too conservative for radicals, and 
too radical for conservatives. In the "Centenary picture" 
which he had engraved for the Repository during the cente- 
nary year, 1866, he omitted the portrait of Francis Burns, 
missionary bishop of Liberia, while he included those of 
our general superintendents in America. When the plate 
was published, a storm of indignation burst upon him for 
his supposed slight to the African bishop, and his discrimi- 
nation against race and color. The Boston Methodist 
Preachers' Meeting passed resolutions, writers in the Church 
papers published articles, and letters were sent to him, all com- 
plaining of his narrow views of Church history, and denounc- 
ing him as a prejudiced partisan. Against all these attacks 
he made but little defense, and scarcely noticed them in the 
magazine, though he wrote an explanatory letter to the Bos- 
ton preachers. He merely stated the facts, leaving to the 
calmer judgment of his brethren their decision of the case. 
The predicted loss of subscribers did not follow because of 
the editor's extreme "conservatism," and it was soon seen 
that the result approved his course. 



166 ISAAC W. WILEY, 

It is an old proverb that "it is an art to conceal art." 
Perhaps it is equally true that scholarship is required to 
conceal scholarship. The smatterer parades his learning, 
the sciolist vaunts his information, the stripling bachelor 
of arts is sure of every thing — only the master feels, with 
Athena's wisest son, 

" All that we know is, nothing can be known," 

and is, therefore, the most diffident in putting forth his 
opinions. Though Bishop Wiley was well informed, and in 
some departments was scholarly, he did not make any show 
of his scholarship. He never professed to be a master, but 
always a learner ; nor was he ashamed to confess ignorance 
where he did not know. Yet, in conversing with him, one 
felt that he was in contact with a master spirit — a man " apt 
to teach," accomplished and thorough, and perfectly free 
from pedantry. It could scarcely be known from his own 
talk that he could read the classic and sacred tongues; and 
it was only by accident, after some years' acquaintance, that 
the writer discovered his intimate knowledge of the Hebrew. 
In his school instructions he may have suggested to his 
classes a more perfect rendering of the original Scriptures; 
but, in the pulpit, he adhered to the accepted version, and 
never ventured to hint that it did not exactly express the 
meaning of the "Word. If Bishop Wiley was not what is 
known as "a man of letters," he was at least well lettered, 
and especially in that noblest of all sciences, divine wisdom ! 



->&£k¥?r^ 



XI. 

THE 0RKT0R. 



JAMES IvI. BUCKLEY, D. D. 

~Hh~ 

CONSIDER it an honor to be invited to attempt the 
analysis of qualities which gained my admiration early 
in my life, and retained it till the spirit in which 
y they inhered was transported to another sphere, and the 
■{ form through which they were manifested "returned to 
its earth." While it is an honor, and in a certain 
sense a pleasure — for who does not love to contemplate the 
character of a friend, whether living here or in heaven ? — it 
is also a task of equal difficulty and delicacy. It is a work 
of difficulty — because the critic may not possess the pene- 
tration to discern, or the nice adjustment requisite to weigh, 
elements so subtile, or the susceptibility which attracts 
the invisible atmosphere which is to the man what fragrance 
is to the flower, or what expression is to the countenance. To 
present the results of such an analysis to the public is an act 
of delicacy ; for in that public are included those who may 
be pre-eminently adapted to the duty required at my hands — 
friends who tenderly loved the subject of the sketch, many 
who knew him only in his official capacity, and multitudes 
to whom he was but an honored name, whose face they had 
often desired to see, but he died before they were gratified 
by the " sight of the eyes." Besides these there is the cynic, 

(167) 



168 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

whose name is legion, who is always skeptical when special 
merit is predicated of any but himself or those whom he 
admires. 

Such difficulties are common to every attempt to delin- 
eate for the eye of others human character, or any phase 
thereof. 

I am persuaded that they are less in this than in most 
cases, hence the pleasure of the work will be greater than 
the sense of responsibility. Figure is the first factor in the 
impression which a speaker makes upon an audience — by no 
means the most important, but first in the order of time. 
He is seen before he speaks. Bishop Wiley's presence was 
adapted to prepossess a waiting audience. He was neither 
large nor small — a little above medium height, not robust, 
and not effeminate. While he made no impression of phys- 
ical strength, his proportions were such as to fill the idea of 
a man. His brow was large and well shaped, and his dark 
hair and beard counteracted the effect of a natural pallor, 
which, without these adjuncts, would have given him the 
aspect of debility. Some orators, otherwise well formed, 
have disproportionately long arms, which make all their ges- 
tures more or less ungracefal; others stoop or hold the 
head upon one side, assume strange attitudes, or make sudden 
and irregular movements not connected with the expression 
of thought or feeling. In the person of Bishop Wiley 
every thing was symmetrical, and any attitude which he took 
would have been suitable for a "sitting" for his portrait. 
The hand, a most important organ of delivery, is sometimes 
so small or exquisitely shaped as to attract notice. In every 
such case it is a disturbing element when the audience con- 
sists chiefly of young persons, or of those not come to ma- 
turity, whatever their years may be. Again, it is huge or 
misshapen, seeming like a weapon as its owner moves it 
through the air or rests it heavily upon the desk. The hand 



THE ORATOR. 169 

of Bishop Wiley was large enough for a scholar, not large 
enough for a hewer of wood or a drawer of water. The result 
of the blending of form, arm, hand, brow, and face was a 
presence which instantly and most agreeably occupied and 
satisfied the eye of the spectator without diverting attention 
from the words which fell upon the ear as the speaker began. 

From such a form there might have come a shrill, pierc- 
ing tone, a weak and indistinct utterance, or a harsh, un- 
musical, guttural sound — for no presumption can be drawn 
from the appearance as to the tone of the voice, each having 
its own timbre. But, when Bishop Wiley spoke, there fell 
upon the ear one of the sweetest and purest of bass voices. 
It was not so thin as to seem like an imitation of such a 
tone, nor so heavy as to roll gloomily through an auditorium, 
nor so low in pitch as to sway continually downwards; but 
it was deep, not loud; strong, not harsh — always bass, yet 
capable of ascending with the elevation of feeling to the 
medium register, and, on peculiar occasions, somewhat above 
it, in which case it became penetrating without losing its 
undertone. Such was his voice as I have heard it for nearly 
thirty years upon the platform, in private, and in the pulpit, 
and such it continued until I shook his hand for the last 
time at the close of the General Conference of 1884. Indeed, 
it is such tones only that age can not impair. The deeper 
become rough, the higher metallic. Perhaps, some would 
characterize his voice as a baritone ; but I think its funda- 
mental note too low in the scale for such a classification. 

His pronunciation was perfect — not, pedantic, but pure. 
I never heard him pronounce a word in a manner for which 
some good authority could not be found. This completes 
the outline of a scholarly man — not the ideal drawn from 
the closet student, nor from Charles Kingsley or Christopher 
Wilson, but of one who had been much with his books and 
pen, but who was no stranger to the "world of affairs." 



170 ISAAC W. WILEY, 

The eye I have not spoken of, for it did not send out the 
lambent flames which startled the hearers of Durbin — nor 
seem to take in the distant and that which was invisible to 
others, as did the gaze of Simpson — but it revealed an ex- 
pression of calm benignity. Nor did the features relax into 
a half smile. It was the countenance of a man serious, not 
stern; kind, but not disposed to familiarity. 

Let us now try to form a mental image of this man as 
an orator. His predominant quality was clearness. I heard 
him more than a hundred times in every position which a 
speaker can occupy in the sphere in which he moved, and 
never heard him utter a sentence which it was at all difficult 
to understand. For this reason he made little use of 
the parenthesis, and indulged in very little repetition of 
words and similar phrases. Often his thoughts did not 
seem to the half-educated as great as they were, because they 
think that it must be hard to understand a profound thought. 
This is a superstition of pompous orators, and of hearers for 
whom they think — while they make the people believe that 
"as they hear they judge." 

Without definiteness there can not be lucidity, hence it 
goes without saying that Bishop Wiley's thoughts were as 
clean cut as diamonds. He knew what he meant to say, or 
it could not have been set in forms so simple. Pertinency 
marked every thing advanced by him. The agonizing in- 
quiry, "What is he aiming at?" never rose to the lips of a 
listener while he spoke. If any preacher ever obeyed Wes- 
ley's maxim, "Always make out what you take in hand," 
Bishop Wiley did so. Such a speaker must be symmetri- 
cal. He never forgot, or rather never had any occasion 
to remember, proportion. His transitions were always grad- 
ual; but so much in harmony with the laws of the human 
mind that they frequently produced all the really valuable 
effects of more startling antitheses. 






THE ORATOR. 171 

Bishop Wiley had fine powers of illustration, and never 
employed a simile that itself needed illustration. Nor did 
he over illustrate — a vice of the present time resulting from 
the natural reaction from the baldness of former times, and 
from the premium that it places on indolence, since nothing 
consumes more time with greater economy of thought than 
illustrations beyond the needs of the situation. His lan- 
guage was of the most chaste character — his style being 
that of the "dignified colloquial," the foundation of all 
effective oratory upon abstract or familiar themes which do 
not involve persons, or relate to an imminent crisis. 

In oratorical delivery he was at all times and in all places 
rhythmical. Even in private conversation, if he uttered more 
than two or three sentences continuously, the rhythm was 
plainly discernible. But, when he was in health, it was as 
far removed from monotony as possible. The Oratorio of 
the Messiah is rhythmical, but not monotonous. A great 
German critic has recently shown that the orations of 
Demosthenes are as rhythmical, and as obviously composed 
with reference to that quality, as the poems of Homer. 
Bishop Wiley, in most particulars, was as unlike Demos- 
thenes as can be imagined — but in this he resembled him. 
Every man not an imitator has a rhythm peculiar to himself, 
in which his charm greatly lies. As an extemporaneous 
speaker, every element of his muscular, respiratory, circula- 
tory, and nervous system kept perfect time and tune. In 
manner he was very calm, but not tame. As he began, his 
manner might suit a judge charging a jury in a grave, but 
not a fatal, case; as he progressed, it became that of a lec- 
turer upon some pleasing theme ; toward the close, it swelled 
into that of the earnest preacher — not as in a general awak- 
ening, but as on some Sabbath when all the people are wil- 
lingly in the sanctuary and the pastor is trying to cheer the 
despondent, comfort the mourner, lift all the people nearer 
12 



172 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

to God, and cause the irreverent to feel that religion is 
truth, and that the Lord is in his holy temple. Animation 
was diffused through the discourse — the animation of the 
bark borne by a strong breeze, but not a gale, across a lake 
or along a river, not the animation of a railway train or of 
an ocean steamer breasting a tempest. Thus he wove a spell 
which, on his best occasions, brought all hearers into sym- 
pathy with each other, with him, and with the theme. 

I have reserved till the last a peculiarity of Bishop Wiley 
which is uuusual. I refer to his pathos, and mean, not 
that pathos is unusual, though it is by no means as common 
as pathos and a kind of maudlin condition of the sensibil- 
ities, but that pathos in a speaker having a bass voice is 
unusual. This is the voice for dignity, force, a tone of com- 
mand, impressive solemnity — but, ordinarily, not for pathos. 
Recall the great masters of pathetic oratory — Richard Ful- 
ler among the Baptists, Summerfield and Maffitt, Durbin 
and Simpson among the Methodists — few such orators with 
bass voices. Yet occasionally they appear ; and it is only when 
the temperament and nervous condition of the speaker admit 
of his voice mellowing and almost without quite breaking. 
When the Rev. Dr. Thomas Sewall, far gone in consump- 
tion, stood before an assembly in Brooklyn, and received 
from the people a token of their affection before he went 
South to die, he said, in that deep organ tone which only 
death could destroy: "My physician says I speak at the 
peril of my life." Then, placing his hand upon his heart, 
he added : " If my lips must be silent, my heart is elo- 
quent." There was no heart in the assembly that did not 
beat in response to his own. Bishop Wiley's voice could 
thus soften. When it did, effects less boisterous but pene- 
trating deeper than the region whence come noise and 
tumult always followed. I first heard him in Trenton, 
New Jersey, many years ago. Then I was inclined to 



THE; ORATOR. 



173 



vehemence and great rapidity, whence came physical injury 
without mental or moral power. As I heard him speaking 
of the first and great commandment, and became conscious 
of his spell, I thought "how calm, yet how exhilarating and 
helpful." Again, I heard him before the students at Con- 
cord, New Hampshire, on "The United States in Prophecy. " 
I remember doubting the force of some of his considera- 
tions, but being charmed with his style. 

My. mother, who sat by my side as I began this article, 
told me of the impression, never to be forgotten, made upon 
her by a sermon on "The love of Christ constraineth me," 
which she heard him deliver just after he returned from 
China, where he had left the body of his wife. The mem- 
ory of its elevation of thought, beauty of language, dignity 
of manner, and depth of feeling, remains vividly in her 
mind, though he sleeps in far-off China, and her years are 
far beyond those which "he attained in the days of his pil- 
grimage. " 

Yet not in the pulpit did he show his mastery of speech 
so unmistakably as in the meetings of the General Mission- 
ary Committee, and similar assemblies. Here it is intellect 
against intellect. To convince is to persuade ; at least with- 
out conviction, in the conflict of interests, it is, usually, 
impossible to persuade. For saying the right thing in the 
right way, not a word too much nor a word too little, it 
will be many a long year before the Church will see his 
like again. 

At Boston once I heard him in behalf of the freedmen 
on the general anniversary, and had the duty of following 
him. It required a strong effort of the will to get out of 
the delightful receptive into the productive mood, and to 
change the temper of the audience required a violent transi- 
tion. At the close he offered a congratulation, to which I 
replied : " Bishop, it is your benevolence which leads you to 



174 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

say this." "No," said he, "every man has an instrument 
of his own ; if he handles that well, he will always be 
heard with pleasure." 

I have tried to describe the instrument of his oratory 
from which the soul hath fled, and to give some idea of its 
dulcet but not feeble tones when animated by that soul 
while yet it wore " the muddy vesture of decay." 



~&m*%~ 



^*§i 


^■ll^s*^ 



XII. 

the w. 



I. W. JOYCE, D. D. 

'HE Methodist Episcopal Church began its career with 
the holy purpose of doing its full share of the needed 
work to secure the conversion of the human race to 
the Lord Jesus Christ. For an hundred years that 
object has been steadily kept in view; and the results 
~g\ achieved have been reached by the agency of the 
Holy Spirit in consecrated individual lives. God ex- 
tends his plans by sending men to the extremes of earth to 
make known to the world's populations the revelations of his 
love in Christ. These movements of Providence affect the 
conditions of men, of society, and of the world. 

In harmony with this method of converting the world, 
there went out from the city of Cincinnati, July 14, 1884, 
an eminent servant of God, and of his Church. For twenty 
and more years he had been among the people of this city, 
preaching, and writing, and exerting a broad influence for 
Christ. He had many friends in almost every part of the 
world; but in this city, where he was best known, he was 
best loved. But now we find him, this July morning, clad 
in traveling garb, ready to go under the order of his Church 
to help the cause of his Savior in the distant lands of Japan 
and China. The scene, as witnessed that morning, consti- 

175 



176 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

tutes a picture that will never fade from the memory of 
those who were grouped about Bishop Wiley as he stood 
in the Central Depot waiting the departure of the train that 
was to bear him from home and loved ones. 

The members of that group standing near the man who 
was about to enter upon a journey greater in extent than 
was ever undertaken by an apostle were the devoted wife, 
and a loving daughter ; a brother bishop ; the secretary of 
the Freedmen's Aid Society; the pastor of St. Paul Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, where the bishop and his family 
have worshiped for many years; the editor of the Western 
Christian Advocate, and other friends. The "good-byes" 
are hurriedly said; the wife and daughter linger a moment 
for the final word from him who was so much to them; he 
steps aboard the train, his face turned toward toilsome duty 
in distant lands, and we turn toward home, not quite so joy- 
ous now because he our friend has gone. 

He stops in the city of Denver for a few days to visit a 
daughter; a little later he is in the city of San Francisco; 
and soon he is on the broad Pacific Ocean, under full sail 
to join his brethren in those distant lands where the Church 
has planted her missions, that he might look into their 
work, and learn how they prospered in preaching the Gos- 
pel of Christ. He does his work in Japan by organizing 
a new conference — the one hundredth conference for Meth- 
odism — thus making for the Church one hundred conferences 
in one hundred years. 

In feeble health he starts for China, reaches that won- 
derful land, and, although greatly prostrated, he finishes 
most of his work. He has a strong desire to reach Foo- 
chow r , and hold the conference there. It is a place dear to 
him; he thinks of the past: memories of other years affect 
him, as he thinks of Foochow. God favors him — he reaches 
the city, enters into a house that stands on a spot of 



THE MAN. 177 

ground where stood one in which he lived thirty-four years 
before. As he enters, and is joyfully received, he exclaims: 
" Home — my old home." He lingers a few days; he knows 
his work is about done, that his race is well-nigh run. He 
fears not the approaching result; he speaks of his past life 
and toils, gives words of cheer to all who enter his room. 
November 22d arrives ; the day wears into the afternoon — 
and, a few minutes before 4 o'clock, he dies as a hero, and 
triumphs victoriously in Christ. 

Bishop Wiley was known to the world as a minister of 
the Gospel of Christ, and a bishop of the Church. In ad- 
dition to these exalted positions, which he so greatly hon- 
ored, I prefer to study him as a man. He was intellectu- 
ally endowed beyond the average of men. He possessed 
great native strength of intellect. His mental equipoise was 
unusual. He was not easily disturbed. With the utmost 
calmness he maintained, to a remarkable degree, his mental 
equilibrium. From early life he was a careful and laborious 
student. This mental discipline fitted him for the thought- 
ful and comprehensive study of great subjects. He loved 
broad themes, and enjoyed the discussion of the principle 
of things. All questions relating to the prosperity of the 
kingdom of Christ, in the diffusion of the Gospel among the 
nations of the earth, received from him prayerful and intel- 
ligent study. 

Dwelling almost constantly on these vast and kindred 
themes made prominent some well known traits in his char- 
acter — great moral courage, and unquestioning faith in God. 
When he had a clear conviction of duty on any question 
with which he was connected, and which called for action on 
his part, he possessed the courage to do as he believed was 
right in the case. In the line of duty he never faltered. 
Many a time, in much feebleness of body, he went to meet 
heavy responsibilities; but he went without a murmur or 



178 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

a regret. The only question he would ever ask was : "Is it 
my duty?" and that settled, all was plain to him after that. 
As one illustration among many that might be given, I quote 
from a letter which I received from him October 8th. It 
was written from Yokohama. He says : " I have finished 
my work in Japan. I start for China to-morrow evening. 
Like St. Paul I go, not knowing what awaits me there." 
But, had he fully known what awaited him at Foochow, 
that knowledge would not have deterred him in the least; 
with St. Paul he would, doubtless, have said: "None of 
these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto 
myself." 

He was a man of unquestioning faith in God. He never 
doubted God, nor called in question his Word. I was the 
pastor of his family from 1880 to 1883, and was frequently 
in his home — and the subjects of conversation were often the 
success of the Church, and the final triumph of Christ's 
cause in the world ; and never did he express other than the 
most unbounded faith in Christ's final victory over the 
human race. He loved the house of God ; and dwelt much 
upon the thought that the worship of God — not music, not 
preaching eloquent sermons, not social greetings, but the 
worship of God — should be the ruling thought with the 
people in God's house on his Holy Day. He loved plain 
preaching — that aimed at once for the conversion of sinners, 
and the confirmation of believers in Christ and in his 
truth. He disliked all attempt at display in the pulpit. He 
would sometimes say : " We have a great Christ and a great 
Gospel to offer men ; and, if ministers will do their work as 
they ought, there will be neither time nor disposition for 
display in the pulpit." He was an attentive and helpful 
listener to the preaching of the Word. He was the true 
friend of the pastor, and in hearty sympathy with him in all 
his work. During the progress of the great revival in St. 



THE MAN. 179 

Paul Church, Cincinnati, in the Winter of 1882, none were 
more interested in the good work than he; and, when not 
engaged officially, was at most of the services, taking part 
in and enjoying the work of grace as it swept onward in its 
victorious triumphs in the conversion .of hundreds of souls. 

He was ever gentle in spirit, tender in feeling, and un- 
wavering in his faith in God. As an illustration of his 
abiding faith in God, I may refer to a great affliction which 
befell him while I was pastor of St. Paul Church. He was 
absent in Iowa, presiding at one of the conferences in that 
State. His only son, a senior in the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- 
versity — a young man of much promise, who was about to 
return to the university at the close of his Summer vacation — 
died very suddenly. Telegrams were sent, and the father 
hastened home. He was met at the depot by two of his 
personal friends; he was very pale, but quite calm. He 
said: "Tell me all, tell me just how it happened;" and 
when all was explained to him he said : " I firmly believe in 
God; I believe all that I preach — that God can and will 
sustain a man in an hour like this. His grace alone is suf- 
ficient for me." In a moment more he added : " The storm 
has struck me so often, that I have gotten down to bed- 
rock. I am resting wholly on the promises of God. This 
is a very mysterious providence to me; but I have faith in 
my heavenly Father, that he will explain it to me some 
time in the great future." 

His life was not an easy one; for he had his full share 
of toils, sorrows, and earthly disappointments. Doubtless he 
had different phases of his life in view as he lay in distant 
Foochow during the last days of his illness, when he said 
to some friends who were with him: "I can not quite say, 
with St. Paul, ' I have fought a good fight f but I can say, 
' I have fought a hard fight.' " But none of life's sorrows 
ever took from him his supreme love to God, or his love 



180 IiSAAC W. WILEY. 

for his fellow-men. He walked " by faith, and not by- 
sight ;" and he lived "as seeing Him who is invisible." 

He was a true friend. Perhaps he was a little slow in 
forming friendships; but, when once formed, they were 
abiding. He was always slow in believing evil of men; 
but chose to live in the atmosphere of charity toward all his 
brethren. He never allowed himself to cherish malice or 
ill-will toward any one. To the general public he seemed 
somewhat cold and reserved; but, in reality, he was not so. 
He had a warm heart, and a generous and confiding spirit. 
He loved his friends dearly, and opened his heart freely to 
them. Rev. Dr. Larew, a friend of many years' acquaint- 
ance and confidence, who was associated with him in confer- 
ence toil in the State of New Jersey, says : " I could tell him 
all my heart without reserve ; and his responses were so affec- 
tionate and so generous, they always ennobled and helped 
me." Another friend, Dr. H. B. Ridgaway, who loved him 
dearly, writing a few days after his death, said : " Can it be 
that our dear, dear friend is gone — and that we shall see his 
face no more in the flesh? I am grieved to the heart. O, 
how grand he was — so true and so faithful ! There was so 
much of the man — a soul so genial, so beautiful, and reli- 
able. Who ever wore dignity or honor so meekly and so 
unconsciously as he? I approached him and revealed my- 
self to him without reserve and without fear; knowing that, 
under the office, there was a brother's heart and a fellow- 
feeling. He never failed to respond." When writing me 
from Japan, he said : " I write you this letter because I want 
to feel that I am talking to you for a while. How I would 
like to have a real good talk with you." He then added: 
" I feel lonely in this far-off land, and want to talk to a 
friend." A man with such a heart could but draw those 
to him between whom and himself there would be a friend- 
ship more lasting than life. 



THE MAN. 181 

Those who knew him best as his friends, knew him 
to be the true man and real friend. They also knew his 
real worth to the Church. He was a man of broad benevo- 
lence, in spirit and in deed. He loved man as man. He 
believed in the equal rights of men ; and, to the extent of 
his influence and power, sought to promote the welfare and 
happiness of all. He believed that all men are brethren ; 
and, therefore, they should love as brethren. The principle 
revealed in the act of the Good Samaritan was the rule 
by which he sought to regulate his life. With Seneca he 
could say, that he believed "God divided man into men, 
that they might help each other." 

He was benevolent in deed, as well as in word. He gave 
liberally of his means to advance the cause of Christ. He 
gave to every enterprise of the Church. He encouraged 
others to give — and he practiced what he preached by giv- 
ing liberally himself. He was never rich; and he kept 
himself comparatively poor by his liberality. He died 
leaving but little of earthly property for his family; but he 
has left to them the legacy of an exalted purpose, a pure 
character, and a good name. His memory will live in the 
hearts of thousands of the Lord's poor who loved him — 
because they knew he loved them for Christ's sake. 

Bishop Wiley was a good judge of men. He readily 
understood their peculiar characteristics; and this readiness 
to read human nature was among the many things that fitted 
him so well for the duties of the high office the Church 
called him to fill. 

He was a plain man, simple in his tastes and habits. 
He very much disliked any thing that savored of show 
or display. He avoided rather than sought the excite- 
ments of society; but he greatly enjoyed, in a quiet way, the 
companionship of his friends as they met him in his own 
home, or where he was called to join in the pleasures of 



182 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

other home-circles — and he was ever ready, upon such oc- 
casions, to contribute to the happiness of the hour. But 
it was in his own home-circle where he was best known and 
loved ; for there the qualities of the real man revealed them- 
selves completely. He was a kind and devoted husband — 
he was a loving and tender father. Never possessed of a 
strong body, and always more or less afflicted, he needed 
the blessed haven of home. He loved its rest, its peace, 
and its quiet. He was always glad to get home; and was 
reluctant to leave it, even when duty called him out into 
his broad field of toil. Loving hearts anticipated his return, 
and willing hands ministered to his necessities. His valu- 
able life was doubtless prolonged beyond what it would have 
been, by the constant care and tender watchfulness of his de- 
voted wife. She was his nurse when ill, and his constant 
companion in times of physical depression and suffering. 
Therefore he loved his home devotedly — it was the haven 
into which he would bring his weary body for repose, know- 
ing that here he would have complete shelter, and that love 
would be his inspiration, his joy, and his comfort. 

These traits of character enable us to see, not so much 
the bishop — with the cares, the dignity, and the responsi- 
bility of office — as we see the great and generous-souled 
man; the careful, and thoughtful, and thorough student; 
the modest and humble Christian; the gentle and the de- 
voted husband; the loving and thoughtful father; the pru- 
dent and safe counselor ; the unchanging and considerate 
friend. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church has been singularly 
blessed in the character of the men who have been called 
to serve its interests in the episcopal office. They have been 
equal to the best in the land in the sterling qualities of a 
pure and consecrated manhood ; their influence has always 
been on that side of all questions looking to the highest and 



THE? MAN. 183 

best good of the people. So far from at any time compro- 
mising their character, or the influence of the Church, by 
assuming any equivocal position when great moral ques- 
tions have been claiming the attention of the American 
people, or of the world, they have been the recognized 
leaders in some of the greatest moral reforms that have agi- 
tated the people, and swept over the land. 

They have ever stood as the peers of the most manly 
men the nation or the world has produced. In scholar- 
ship many of them have been equal to the best; and they 
have vindicated their right to the highest intellectual recog- 
nition, having attested their keenness of penetration, and 
comprehensive grasp of great questions in writings that have 
become standard upon their respective subjects. 

Their influence upon the world has been of the character 
to affect the rich and the poor, the educated and the uned- 
ucated alike — and thus all classes of peoples are drawn to the 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by these men, whose sole aim 
has ever been the glory of God and the good of mankind. 
This world is the poorer when such men die, but they leave 
an influence that will be a blessing to the human family to 
the end of time. 

The death of Bishop Wiley has added another name to 
the honored list of those who have thus served God, and the 
age in which they lived. 

Our friend and brother has gone to the Christ whom he 
loved and served so loyally, and whose Gospel he preached 
so eloquently and effectively — and with Him he rests from 
toil, and care, and suffering, and anxiety. His body, sleep- 
ing in its distant grave, binds the Church to the great East 
of Asia — while Bishop Kingsley's body, sleeping in Beirut, 
Syria, binds the Church to the West of that same great con- 
tinent. These, surely, are pledges that the Church will do 
its full share of work for the redemption of that great 



184 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

people, and we believe that it is fully ready to accept these 
pledges. 

If Bishop "Wiley could have been consulted as to 
whether he would be willing to lay down his life in that 
distant land for the redemption of its millions of peoples, I 
do not think he would have hesitated for one moment — but 
gladly would have made the offering. He has made it; and 
now reigns with his glorified Savior and Lord. 

"Servant of God, well done; 
Thy glorious warfare 's past : 
The battle 's fought, the race is won, 
And thou art crowned at last." 



^*^H^^ 



XIII. 

6L081M6 8G£(4E8. 



tIDSUMMER, 1884, found Bishop Wiley on the great 
Pacific Ocean, on his episcopal mission to Japan 
and China. It was arranged by the bishops that he 
should organize the Japan Conference, and then pro- 
ceed to Northern China and Foochow, in the interest 
of our Church work in those vast empires. He 
reached Japan near the end of August, and met 
the missionaries at Hakodate on the 28th of that 
month, at which time and place he organized the conference. 
It continued in session a full week, and adjourned Sep- 
tember 3d. 

Having finished his episcopal work in Japan, Bishop 
Wiley directed his course to China. Rev. Nathan J. Plumb, 
one of our missionaries in Foochow, thus describes his 
progress, and the closing scenes in his life: 

"His voyage across the Pacific did not improve his 
health as he hoped it would, and the journey from Japan 
to Shanghai made him much worse. The very hard trip 
to and from North China, prosecuting the work there, and 
holding the meeting with the Central China Mission, at 
Shanghai, on his return, nearly prostrated him, and only 
his resolute determination to reach Foochow, the last point 
on this episcopal tour, and thus complete the work he came 

(185) 






186 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

to do, enabled him to endure the voyage. During his jour- 
ney north, he was accompanied by Miss S. Trask, M. D., of 
the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and Brother 
Lowry, of Peking, whose constant attention and kind care 
did all that was possible under the circumstances to make 
the journey endurable. Dr. Trask returned with him to 
Foochow; and, giving her own work into the hands of Dr. 
Corey, her associate in the hospital, she devoted herself en- 
tirely to the bishop. Other physicians were also called, and 
all that human skill could do was done for him. As he 
entered our gate, he said : ' Home, my old home !' remem- 
bering that this house stands on the site of a house formerly 
occupied by him while a missionary here more than thirty 
years ago. He greeted my wife with ' I 'm sorry I 'm not 
coming to you as a guest, but as a patient to be cared for.' 
He was very weary from his journey, and went at once to 
his room, hoping to be better after rest. 

"The next morning opened with unusually dark, gloomy 
skies for this season and place. We were especially sorry, 
as he had encountered bad weather in Shanghai, and had 
hoped for something better here. He was too ill to leave 
his bed, but only said, in his sweet, patient way, 'I think 
I shall keep my bed until we have some genuine, old- 
fashioned Foochow sunshine.' The next day he spoke of 
having fully considered the possibility of not being able to 
get any farther than Foochow; but he, evidently, did not 
think then that his end was so near. It was a sore disap- 
pointment to him not to be able to be present at any of the 
sessions of the conference, and attend to the work he came 
to do ; but he never gave utterance to a murmur or com- 
plaint. Once he said: 'I felt I must make this last journey 
to visit my missions. I hoped to do that, and visit my 
people in the South once more; then I could have consid- 
ered my work of forty years rounded up and finished.' 






CLOSING SCENES. 187 

" For some days after his arrival here he seemed to im- 
prove slightly, retaining the food prepared for him, which 
gave us some hope. For weeks he had taken only liquid 
food, and could only retain a little of that. Then he began 
again to look toward home, and spoke often and lovingly 
of wife and children, who were expecting his return. After 
the first week he grew worse, and sank rapidly. The native 
brethren gathered here for conference were deeply concerned 
for him, and were constant in their inquiries after his wel- 
fare. They often came one after another to his bedside to 
take his hand, and look on the face they loved so well. 
His heroic example of patient, uncomplaining endurance of 
intense suffering, his complete resignation to the divine will, 
his sweet Christian cheerfulness, and calm composure in 
the immediate prospect of death, was like a benediction to 
us all." 

Rev. F. Ohlinger, another of our missionaries, says: 

"While we were thus sorrowing on account of our sick 
bishop, we rejoiced greatly in behalf of the brethren from 
the interior who had passed through fears and dangers dur- 
ing the conference year and came up to the conference with 
messages of peace and prosperity. Thousands of poor Chi- 
namen fell before the French cannon. Many were put to a 
cruel death by their own countrymen because suspected of 
treachery or incendiarism, while the ostracized Christians 
came off without so much as a hair of their heads being 
touched. The conference sermon was preached by Ting Ka 
Sing. His remarks on the theme ' Through Self-denial to 
Victory' evinced considerable thought and careful prepara- 
tion. Thursday morning, November 13th, the conference 
was organized by the election of a president and one English 
and two Chinese secretaries. The missionary sermon was 
preached by Rev. G. B. Smyth. The discussion of the Sab- 
13 



188 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

bath-school work took an unexpected turn. Pictorial works, 
cards, maps, flags, etc., were recommended as helpful in 
building up live schools. But the majority of the speakers, 
especially our older brethren, such as Hu Yang Mi and Li 
Tu Mi, urgently recommended the singing of Christian 
hymns to Chinese tunes. 

" The love-feast speeches were unusually good. Hu 
Yong Mi's sermon was earnest and timely. In the after- 
noon a memorial service was held in connection with the 
celebration of the Lord's-supper. Two of our young and 
highly promising preachers on trial had passed to their re- 
ward. Touching allusions were made to their life in our 
Biblical Institute and the few years they spent in God's 
work. Some of the remarks seemed to sink so deep into 
the hearts of the hearers, that the only sentiment one could 
think of was, better work, more work, holier work for the 
Master. The sacramental service was an occasion of deep 
solemnity. In the evening, Rev. M. C. Wilcox preached 
from the words : ' But far be it from me that I should glory 
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 

"Monday morning our beloved Bishop Wiley was re- 
ported ' much worse,' and the conference occupied the greater 
part of the forenoon in getting ready for the ordinations 
which he hoped to perform at his bedside late in the after- 
noon. At noon word came that Bishop Wiley could not 
attend to the ordinations. Sia Sek Ong said: 'This is the 
remnant of work he must needs leave undone to keep up 
the connection between this conference and the mother 
Church.' 

"On Tuesday morning the conference assembled for 
prayer and roll-call, after which it adjourned to meet at the 
call of the president. Every one was anxious to hear a last 
word from the dying bishop. He shook hands with a few 
of the native brethren, and mentioned them by name. Once, 



CLOSING SCENES. 189 

after medicine had been given him, he seemed to dwell 
intentionally on the word give, repeating it several times 
without being able to say more. We asked, 'Do you want 
us to give you something?' He replied, 'No/ 'Do you 
want to give us something?' He answered with all his re- 
maining strength : ' I do not want to give you any thing ; I 
only give you God's blessing. God bless you! God bless 

you! God bless you forevermore, forevermore, for- 

ev-er-more ! A — men ! A — men ! A men ! ' We sang 

a verse of the hymn : 

'Forever with the Lord, 
Amen! so let it be,' 

during which he sank into a sweet slumber." 

We resume the narrative of Brother Plumb : 

" A few days before his death he evidently realized that 
his end was near, and gave clear utterance to some grand 
testimony which will ever be treasured as precious by the 
thousands who mourn his loss. On Wednesday afternoon 
he said : ' My wish is to go home and do ten years' service, 
but the Lord's will be done. If it is simply a question of life 
or death, that does n't weigh heavily on my mind. Thirty- 
three years ago I came here, and now I think I may as 
well remain and finish my work. I think it might be a 
good thing to have the one who for some reason has been 
called the missionary bishop of China to die here. I have 
had some pleasurable thoughts about dying here, where my 
work began. If I die, I will die in the same faith in which 
I have lived. I have been a licensed preacher of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church for forty years, and have always 
tried to do my duty.' Then, pausing for a short time, he 
resumed, 'I have not been a joyous preacher or a joyous 
creature ; but I have been a peaceful, happy, hopeful Chris- 



190 ISAAC W. WIIvEY. 

tian. I am at peace with God and man. I have never 
been an enemy to any man, and I do not know that any 
man has ever been an enemy to me. I have never intended 
to harm any one, and I have no knowledge of any one ever 
having done me any harm.' Again, he said : ' With a little 
modification I can say what Paul said at his end, "I have 
fought a good fight;" I won't go as far as Paul; — "I have 
fought a hard fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished 
my work, and henceforth" ' — here he broke off, leaving the 
quotation incomplete, but immediately adding : ' My faith 
is in the same Christ for whom I have lived and worked, 
and the same Christ through whom I hope to attain to eter- 
nal life. My faith is not as strong as Paul's. Paul saw 
more than I have/ evidently meaning by faith. He con- 
tinued : ' I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior 
of the world. I believe in the Apostles' Creed. I believe 
there is no redemption for the world except in the Lord 
Jesus Christ. I have lived a Christian for forty years; and, 
when I die, I will die a Christian.' 

"During the time he said these things he often paused, 
as if to rest, and occasionally to ask that an expression be 
repeated to him as I wrote them down. On the following 
day he talked much less, and said: 'I can not talk much 
now, and ought not to try. You, Brother Plumb, have my 
testimony;' adding, 'I am dying. I can not live. I want 
to go home to heaven.' The Rev. C. Hartwell, of the Amer- 
ican Board of Commissioners of Foreign Mission, a co- 
laborer with him in the missionary work here, came to 
see him, and when his name was called, he recognized him 
and reached out his hand in welcome, and seemed much 
pleased. 

"When Mr. Hartwell said: 'I hope the Savior is pre- 
cious to you,' he quickly responded, 'Yes, indeed he is.' 
Mr. Hartwell added : ' The Savior says, I will come and re- 






CLOSING SCENES. 191 

ceive you unto myself.' 'Yes/ he replied; 'he will come 
in due time to us all/ Once he said : ' I want to go home to 
heaven. Let me go.' At another time, when it was diffi- 
cult fully to understand him, he said : ' If I die, it will be 
true that Bishop Wiley will be the first missionary bishop 
you 've got there — that 's beyond question.' The last sen- 
tence he was heard to utter was, ' Let me go.' Death had 
no terrors for him. At ten minutes before four o'clock, 
on Saturday afternoon, November 22, 1884, a day of the 
brightest and most glorious Foochow sunshine, which he 
had so longed for, without a struggle, and so quietly and 
peacefully that we who watched beside him scarcely realized 
it, he passed away to the land of eternal sunshine. 

" The funeral services took place Sunday, November 23d, 
at three o'clock, P. M., at Tiang Ang Tong. A large audience 
assembled, composed of foreigners and Chinese, and the 
services were conducted in both languages. The order of 
exercises was as follows : The Scripture texts, ' I am the 
resurrection and the life,' etc., were read by the writer. 
Rev. F. Ohlinger announced the Chinese hymn, 'Asleep in 
Jesus;' and, after singing, led in prayer in Chinese. Rev. 
G. B. Smythe read the ninetieth Psalm, and Rev. Hu Yong 
Mi the same in Chinese, and Rev. Sia Sek Ong read 1 Co- 
rinthians, xv, 41-58. Hymn nine hundred and seventy-one 
of our Hymnal, commencing ' Why should our tears in sor- 
row flow?' was announced by Rev. M. C. Wilcox. This 
was followed by remarks by Rev. C. C. Baldwin, D. D., of 
the American Board Mission, who gave a brief account 
of his association with Bishop Wiley in mission work in 
early years, adding some appropriate and touching remarks 
on Psalm cxvi, 15, 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is 
the death of his saints.' Rev. C. Hartwell, of the same 
mission, gave a very comforting address in Chinese, refer- 
ring specially to John xiv, 1, 2, 'Let not your heart be 



192 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

troubled.' Bishop Burdon, of the English Episcopal 
Church, bishop of Victoria, and missionary in North China 
for many years, followed, and, in a few well chosen words, 
spoke of the need and blessedness of a revelation from God, 
and of the glorious life and immortality brought to light 
in the Gospel. A few words were added, and the dying 
testimony of the bishop read by the writer. Rev. J. H. 
Worley then announced the 991st Hymn, 'Servant of God, 
well done.' After the singing, the audience came forward 
and took a last look at the sweet face of the sainted 
bishop, and he was then borne to his last resting-place. 
The native brethren whom the bishop had ordained had 
requested to be the pall-bearers, and, clothed in white, ac- 
cording to Chinese custom, they enjoyed this special privi- 
lege. May a double portion of his spirit rest upon them, 
and upon us all, making our lives more fruitful in good 
works for the Master! 

"Tenderly we laid him down beneath the olive trees be- 
side his first wife and little child, in our little mission cem- 
etery, which grows more and more sacred as the years pass 
by, there to rest until the resurrection morn." 



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XIV. 
REfl0R1«li 8ERWE8. 



^IMMEDIATELY after the news of Bishop Wiley's 
if] death reached Cincinnati, it was determined to hold a 
public memorial service in St. Paul Church, where his 
family usually worshiped. As this city was the bishop's 
home, the Methodist Preachers' Meeting appointed a 
committee to arrange for the service, and announce the 
time when it should be held. It was felt that until 
full particulars of the bishop's last hours should be received, 
nothing satisfactory could be done. When finally letters 
were received from China, the committee had notices pub- 
lished in all the Churches and papers for a union memorial 
service on the 18th of January, 1885, at 3 o'clock P. M. 
There was a large attendance at the Church from Cincin- 
nati, and the adjoining cities and suburbs. Bishop Walden 
presided. The pastor, John J. Reed, announced the first 
hymn, No. 982, "How blest the righteous when he dies," 
after the singing of which J. H. Bayliss offered prayer. 
The Scripture lesson (Acts xx, 17-38) was read by D. J. 
Starr, and hymn No. 989, "When the last trumpet's awful 
voice," was read by W. K. Brown. 

Bishop Walden said that nearly two months ago the 
sad news reached us of the death of Bishop Wiley. In the 

193 



194 



ISAAC "W. WILEY. 



meantime there had been held the Centennial Conference in 
the city of Baltimore. Over that body a shadow was cast 
by the death of the senior bishop of our own Church, and 
also of the Church South, and by the more recent death of 
Bishop Wiley, who was lamented by all. But nowhere has 
the death of Bishop Wiley produced such profound sorrow 
as here in Cincinnati, where he had his. home. He said that 
they had purposely delayed the memorial service until the 
full particulars of the death had been received. He had 
known him for twenty years, since the bishop first came to 
reside in this city. During that time he was associated with 
him in different departments of Church work. He always 
found him a wise counselor, and a careful, prudent, thought- 
ful, devoted servant of God. But he declined making an 
address that he might give others ample time to speak. 

Bishop Merrill was then introduced, and delivered an 
address on " Isaac W. Wiley as a Bishop." See page 99. 

Hymn No. 150, "God is Love," was announced, by Dr. 
Henry Liebhart, editor of the Haus und Herd, and sung 
by the congregation. 

BY R. S. RUST, D. D. 

We shall see no more, moving among us, our beloved 
Bishop Wiley. No more will he grace our social circles, 
and our homes. No more will he administer comfort and 
consolation to us in our bereavements. No more will he 
cheer and encourage us amid the trials and conflicts of life. 
No more will he counsel and plan to educate the ignorant, 
rescue the fallen, and save the needy populations in our own 
and foreign lands. No more shall we see him in our pulpits, 
and listen to his thrilling delineations of duty here, and life 
hereafter. No more Mall he stir our souls to sacrifice and 
heroic effort for the world's redemption. 



MEMORIAL SERVICES. 195 

A little group of Christian friends met the bishop at the 
Central Depot, on the 14th of last July, on the morning of 
his departure for China, congratulated him upon the pros- 
pect of a pleasant trip, assured him that their love and 
prayers should follow him in all his journeyings, and that, 
with anxious hearts, they would wait and watch for his early 
return to his friends and home. But sad thoughts filled our 
hearts as we participated in the conversation at this parting 
scene. A strange interest absorbed my mind; I watched 
every look and movement of our departing friend; I saw 
the struggle that it cost him to be cheerful, as kind words 
of parting were spoken ; but, when the farewell to wife and 
daughter came, his feelings triumphed, his eyes filled with 
tears, and he hastened into the car, which soon vanished out 
of sight. I remarked to one by my side that the dear ones, 
whose grief at parting was most intense, would never meet 
again on earth — not dreaming that the bishop would never 
come back again. 

Just after noon, November 21st, a cablegram from Foo- 
chow informed us that Bishop Wiley was dangerously ill; 
the next day the startling news came, "Bishop Wiley is 
dead." The sad intelligence of his death sent anguish to 
loving hearts all around the world. There was lamentation 
over his death everywhere — in the land of his early life 
and ministry ; in the classic halls of the seminary where he 
had taught ; in New England, where he rendered four years 
of valuable episcopal service ; in Utah, for whose redemp- 
tion he had so earnestly toiled and fervently prayed ; in the 
Sunny South, where he had done so much to establish 
schools for the elevation of the people ; in our mission sta- 
tions all over the world, where his name and services are 
held in sweet remembrance. But nowhere has his death 
been more severely felt (always excepting his loved home) 
than by our people in the South, whom, in his dying mo- 



196 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



ments, he called " my people," and whom, once more before 
his death, lie desired to visit. 

His sudden removal from us is translation, not death! 
Like Enoch, he walked with God; and was not, for God 
took him. He left us, with loving words, at the Central 
Depot. He has not come back, as we expected. He never 
will ! He finished his journey — not in Cincinnati, but in 
Foochow, and has gone home to heaven. We must finish 
our pilgrimage without his loving companionship. We shall 
meet again; not here, but over on the other side of the 
river, where pure and loving hearts are never sundered. 

There is alleviation in our grief at the unexpected de- 
parture of our dear friend. It came when he had reached 
the zenith of his power and usefulness, when his beautiful 
life had borne its richest fruit. He had struggled up through 
toil, and study, and sacrifice, to the highest position in the 
Church. Every office to which he had been called he 
filled with ability and dignity. 

As an educator, he possessed rare abilities. He won the 
love and confidence of his pupils, touched the secret springs 
of their being, led them to a true conception of the grandeur 
of the human mind, and aroused them to enthusiastic effort 
for the accomplishment of something sublime in life. Stu- 
dents of his, having reached eminence in professional life, 
attribute to his wise training the credit of their success. 

As an editor, he exhibited good literary taste and excel- 
lent judgment. As a writer, he was able, clear, and impres- 
sive. While he edited the Ladies' Repository it sustained 
the high rank it had acquired under his predecessors; and 
each successive number was enriched with pure and beau- 
tiful thought which made it a welcome and effective agency 
in the elevation of woman and home. 

As a preacher, he was philosophical and spiritual, in- 
structive and eloquent; and when he was in the pulpit he 



MEMORIAL, SERVICES. 197 

seemed to be upon his throne, for he was a prince of 
preachers. He delighted his audiences with original thought 
and graceful delivery. He presented "the truth as it is in 
Jesus" in attractive and effective style. At times, while 
proclaiming the wonderful truths of the Cross, the Holy 
Ghost would come down upon the preacher and the people, 
and wondrous results would follow. His sermons at confer- 
ence, both before and after he entered the episcopacy, pro- 
duced the profoundest impressions ; but he reached heights of 
eloquence in preaching to our colored people that he rarely 
attained anywhere else. 

Bishop Wiley was held in high estimation by Christians 
of all denominations in the South, and some of the most 
touching tributes to his character, services, and abilities have 
been found in Southern papers. But it was in our own 
Church and by our own members there that he was most 
fully appreciated and tenderly loved. He had taken our 
Southern work upon his heart; had studied every phase of 
it ; had reached clear and decided convictions in regard to 
it, and had consecrated every power of his being to the ad- 
vancement of Christ's kingdom in this section. No wonder 
that in this field, where his ability to grapple with perplex- 
ing problems was recognized, and his co-operation deemed 
essential to success, his sudden death should spread gloom 
over our work, and send sorrow to anxious hearts. Our 
schools are clothed in mourning, our teachers are in sorrow, 
and our poor colored people, in their cabins, give evidence 
of their great grief in the loss of their tried friend and 
benefactor. 

Universally beloved and honored by the Church, with a 
well-rounded life of Christian service, with unwavering con- 
fidence in God and the truth he had preached for forty 
years, with heaven full in sight; at the place where he com- 
menced missionary work thirty-three years before, and 



198 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

where members of his family had fallen and were buried 
beneath an olive tree in the missionary cemetery — was it not 
the right time, and was not Foochow the right place, from 
which Bishop Wiley should ascend to heaven? Let us 
glance at the closing scene. When the bishop raised his 
head from his dying pillow, and saw the native preachers 
of the Foochow Conference standing by his bedside; when 
the grand results of thirty-three years of the mission work 
of our Church in China passed in review before him; when, 
with prophetic vision, he saw the ancient dynasties of idol- 
atry and superstition receding before the conquering legions 
of King Emmanuel ; when he saw the native preachers of our 
Church, sweeping through the Celestial Empire, proclaim- 
ing the unsearchable riches of Christ ; when he remembered 
that he had been a humble pioneer in this work, and for 
faithful service had been promoted to the rank of mission- 
ary bishop; when the thought flashed through his mind 
that his grave would bring nearer to each other China and 
America, and bind the Methodist Episcopal Church and the 
Foochow Conference in closer communion : do you wonder 
that, in spite of love for home, wife, children, and friends, 
he should exclaim, " Let me go home to heaven ?" Though 
our hearts are breaking with sorrow at our great loss, we 
bow in sorrowful submission to the wisdom of our heavenly 
Father in taking our dear Bishop Wiley home to heaven, 
from Foochow, on the 22d of November : " The Lord gave, 
and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the 
Lord." May God comfort and sustain the bereaved family 
and friends. 

Dr. Rust then read the following letter from the com- 
mittee of native Chinese preachers of the Foochow Confer- 
ence. It was sent to Mrs. Wiley in the original Chinese, 
accompanied with the translation : 



MEMORIAL SERVICES. 199 

"The Foocbow Annual Conference appointed your serv- 
ants, Li Yu Mi and Hu Chaik Hang, to write a letter of 
greeting and condolence to Mrs. Bishop Wiley. 

"Your servants write this letter amid tears. Before 
conference convened, not one of us despaired of Bishop 
Wiley's coming to us and giving us valuable instruction, 
increasing the light of the Church and bringing the grace 
of our Lord Jesus Christ in fullness upon the conference. 
Most of the preachers had arrived when the bishop came, 
and we were surprised to learn that he was very sick. Our 
sorrow was very great. Going at times to his bedside to 
greet him, we discovered that, although his body was very 
weak, his purpose was strong, and his heart fixed, not even 
failing to comfort us by telling us to esteem very highly the 
office and calling of saving souls. After conference opened 
we daily prayed earnestly for our bishop, hoping his pre- 
cious body might receive strength so that he might be able 
to unite with us and impart good advice to us, so that we 
might all be filled. But his sickness grew worse and worse; 
all doctors and medicines did not avail any thing. On the 
3d of the 10th month he was much worse, and we feared 
he was dying. We loved him in our hearts, and therefore 
adjourned our conference sessions, and together stood around 
the bishop's bed. His countenance did not in the least 
show fear of death. His answers to our questions were 
serene and full of comfort. We can truly say, faithful 
servant of the Lord ! He said : ' I love the Church above 
all things in the world ; you ought to take good care of it. 
By no means indulge in fruitless discussions/ We listened 
attentively, and his words were like a whip on a horse to us 
[that is, his words spurred us on to greater activity]. On 
the 4th his suffering was less again, and the president of the 
conference called us together in the evening to finish the 
business of the conference. 



200 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

"Our bishop came several myriads of li [Chinese miles] 
three times to our country, not dreading the toil and danger 
of the voyage. This time he could not even meet with us 
once to satisfy our hunger after his advice and admonition. 
This is owing to our lack of merit, and is a great misfortune. 
May the Lord pardon all our sins. We hoped the bishop 
might return to America in peace, and tell the Church what 
he had seen in his journey. Alas! Alas! God's ways are 
beyond finding out. On the 5th, our bishop peacefully 
breathed out his life and went to live with God. We wept 
in our heart-sorrow, and could not be comforted. The next 
day the missionaries, elders, and ladies gave full expression 
to their filial hearts, and buried the departed as one buries 
his father, according to the best rules of propriety and Chris- 
tian custom. We selected twelve elders and deacons as pall- 
bearers, to carry the coffin to the grave, where the sad and 
mournful burial service was held. There were about thirty 
Europeans assembled, including the missionaries of the 
Methodist Church, of the American Board, Bishop Burdon, 
and the missionaries of the Church Mission, the United 
States consul, the officers of the United States ship Monoeacy, 
merchants, clerks, and visitors. Bishop Burdon and the 
American Board missionaries made some very appropriate 
remarks about the life and work of Bishop Wiley; and, at 
the close, the missionary in charge of the services repeated 
some of the last words he had uttered. Amid all this there 
were over three hundred people who shed tears together. 
Over two hundred of us natives were dressed in mourning, 
and followed in procession to the grave. We now dry our 
tears to write these few words to send to you, Mrs. Bishop 
Wiley, for perusal. Our hearts go with this letter to unite 
with you in mourning this great bereavement. 

"We feel sure God will not forget our bishop's labors 
for China — first as missionary to preach the Gospel, then as 






MEMORIAL SERVICES. 201 

bishop to organize our conference, and, finally his death in 
our midst — but cause his love and devotion to the Chinese 
to redound to the spreading abroad of the Gospel and the 
eternal establishment of God's kingdom in our land. Our 
Savior says: 'Whoever loses his life for my sake shall 
find it.' 

"We know that you are established in the faith, and 
that you will not mourn as those who have no hope. You 
do not need our words, but as we loved our bishop, and 
speak from the fullness of our hearts, you will deign to 
listen to what we have to say. We look at the bishop's 
beauty of character and firmness of purpose, and gladly fol- 
low in his footsteps, viewing his death as a return home. 
We look upon it with rejoicing. Pray for us. May the 
Blessed Trinity pour his abundant grace upon you, and bless 
you and yours with unending peace and consolation. 
"Li Yu Mi, 
"Hu Chaik Hang, 

"Conference Committee, present respects. 
"Foochow, 1884, 11th month, 25th day." 

I. W. Joyce, D. D., then delivered an address on 
" Isaac W. Wiley as a Man." See page 175. 

BY WM. NAST, D. D. 

I deem it very unnecessary to add another stroke to the 
portraiture of Bishop Wiley that has been held up to us 
this afternoon. We have seen in it all the elements which 
constitute a great man, a prince in Israel. And all the 
shining talents and gifts which the revered and admired 
leader of our Israel, who has finished his course in the 
militant Church, exhibited as educator, writer, orator, and 
bishop, are inferior to what Isaac W. Wiley was as a Chris- 



202 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



tian man. The crowning glory that will inerasably be en- 
graved on the memory of all who have known him was 
love, the bond of perfectness, described by Paul in his 
letter to the Corinthians, without which all other gifts count 
nothing before God. I know no man in whom I have seen 
this love illustrated more fully and conspicuously than in 
Bishop Wiley, though he himself was so covered with hum- 
bleness of mind that he was not conscious of it. 

If I spoke to a German audience, I would say Bishop 
Wiley's individuality or inwardness consisted in his " Lie- 
benswuerdigkeit," to which the English word " loveliness," 
that is, the state and faculty of exciting love, comes nearest, 
and in his " Leutseligkeit," that universal "charity" which 
Peter in his second epistle exhorts his readers to add to 
"brotherly kindness." In the light of these two cardinal 
Christian virtues do the most exalted gifts lose their luster, 
as stars before the rising sun. What made Bishop Wiley 
so lovely without as well as within the Church was the phi- 
lanthropy springing from the love of God and manifesting 
itself in gentleness, tenderness, magnanimity, humbleness, 
void of all ostentation and always marked by a considerate 
regard for the feelings and opinions of others, free from 
undue bias, and unjust prepossession — that suavity or refine- 
ment of manners which enables a man to make an agreea- 
ble impression by all he says or does. A man who possesses 
these virtues will, as Bishop Wiley testified in his last hours, 
be a peaceful, happy, hopeful Christian, exhibiting patience, 
long-suifering, imperturbable Christian cheerfulness, and 
even humorous pleasantry, though passing through waters of 
the deepest affliction. 

I am thankful for the privilege and honor bestowed upon 
me in this solemn memorial service to express in a few words 
my never-dying gratitude for having become acquainted 
with such a Christian and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ 



MEMORIAL SERVICES. 203 

as Bishop Wiley was, and for the fervent interest he felt, 
not only in the elevation of the Chinese and the freedmen 
of the South, but also in the German mission work — the 
necessity, difficulties, and far-reaching importance no one 
could better appreciate than he. More than this, I am a 
personal mourner in this memorial service, and desire to ex- 
press my gratitude for what he has been to me personally, 
for his never-failing sympathy with the burden of the Lord 
upon my heart, for his wise counsels, and the encourage- 
ments he gave me sometimes in a manner which seemed ex- 
travagant to me, indulging in that humorous pleasantry so 
peculiar to him, as, for instance, in the last words he said 
to me, when I parted with him: "Now I want you to 
know that, if I shall get to heaven before you, I shall have 
charges ready to be presented against you, if you do not 
finish the work you have commenced, and which the Church 
expects of you." Though I considered, as I told him, the 
importance he attached to the work he referred to, in order 
to spur me on, as altogether extravagant, yet this last word, 
and his undeserved kind remembrance of me on his death- 
bed, as well as all I have seen and heard and learned of 
him, will be an inspiration to me for the remainder of my 
life; and I am strengthened in the hope that the Lord will 
not call me from earth before I have finished all that the 
Lord wants and enables me to do. I hope you will excuse 
my saying a word about myself. It is only prompted by 
grateful love. Though I shall see him no more in the flesh, 
the memory of his brotherly love, faith, and patience will 
live in my heart till the day of my redemption comes, when 
I hope to see him again. 

The last hymn was No. 991, "Servant of God, well 
done," and was announced by W. N. Brodbeck, pas- 
tor of the Walnut Hills Methodist Church. The conclud- 
14 



204 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



ing prayer was offered by Bid well, Lane, pastor of 
Union Methodist Church, Covington, Kentucky. The bene- 
diction was pronounced by Dr. Earl Cranston, agent of 
the Western Methodist Book Concern. 

The large congregation remained to the close, and main- 
tained a devout interest in all the exercises. Hundreds in 
the congregation felt that they could say with Dr. Nast that 
they felt themselves to be personal mourners, for Bishop 
Wiley was without an enemy in the city where he had his 
home, and was universally admired for his talents, and loved 
for his amiability and tireless work for the Master. 



Services were also held in other cities and towns of 
the United States, where the bishop was well known and 
beloved, in honor of his memory. Many of these were of 
the most interesting character. Those held at Wiley Uni- 
versity, Marshall, Texas, occurred Sunday, April 19th. 
They are of special interest in view of the bishop's connec- 
tion with that institution. The large audience, consisting 
principally of colored people, filled the chapel at an early 
hour. The services opened by singing two verses of " Jesus, 
lover of my soul." The ninety-first Psalm was then read 
by Prof. N. Coleman, of the university, and prayer offered 
by H. Webb, presiding elder of Marshall District. 

After the singing of Hymn No. 638, President Clifford 
stated the object of the services. Rev. F. Parker, a 
student of the institution, read a paper on the relation 
sustained by Bishop Wiley to the Freedmen's Aid Society. 
Hymn No. 1038 was sung; after which R. H. Har- 
bert, of the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church, made 
a brief address. Hymn No. 991 was sung, and Bishop 
W. F. Mallalieu was introduced, who delivered the prin- 
cipal address. 



MEMORIAL SERVICES. 205 

BY BISHOP W. F. MALLALIEU, D. D. 

We have met together on this holy day, in this con- 
secrated place, to honor the memory of one beloved and 
reverenced by us all. Our dear friend, for whom this insti- 
tution of learning was so worthily named, has passed away 
from our society, and from the sorrows and labors of this 
transitory life, to the joys and rest of paradise above. True, 
his body sleeps on the far distant shores of China, beyond 
the broad expanse of the Pacific Ocean, but still he seems to 
be present with us; and it is not difficult for some who re- 
member his last visit to these halls of learning to imagine 
that he is here, and that he still has an abiding interest in 
all that is taking place. 

It is well for our own moral and spiritual natures, for 
our own growth and goodness, that we seriously and earn- 
estly hold ourselves to the contemplation of the pure, and 
good, and noble of our race. And it is eminently fitting 
that a company of students should, for their own encourage- 
ment in all virtues, reflect upon the character and attain- 
ments of one who combined so many excellent traits as 
Bishop Wiley. And when we remember that we shall see 
his face no more, that his voice will never again be heard in 
these halls, that his footsteps will never again echo along 
the walks of this beautiful campus, we do well to recall once 
more the pure and exalted life, the manly and noble influ- 
ence of him whom we, in common with all the Church, are 
called upon to mourn, and whose loss must be deeply felt 
by all. 

Bishop Wiley was truly a learned man in the best sense 
of the word. Not that he had graduated at the high seats 
of learning, but because his life had been studious, even in 
the midst of the most exacting duties. Year by year he 



206 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



added to his store — by travel, by reading, by patient 
thought — until he possessed a wealth of learning that was of 
the greatest possible value; and yet he was the last person to 
make a display, and never exhibited the slightest suspicion 
of pedantry. His studies were not confined to any one or a 
few closely related topics, but embraced the widest possible 
range. His medical training, combined with his extensive 
literary qualifications, and his exact theological knowl- 
edge, as well as his wide and varied observations of men 
and institutions in many lands, gave great breadth and 
scope to his culture and knowledge. 

He was still further noted for the ability he had for 
making a wise use of all his intellectual treasures. Few 
men have the natural or acquired facility to utilize, at a mo- 
ment's notice, the gathered wealth of many years. But, in 
his case, it seemed that whatever he knew he knew thor- 
oughly, and he held it ready for instant use, whatever the 
emergency. 

Bishop Wiley had the quality of steadfastness. Never 
loud or emphatic in his declarations, it might at first appear 
that he had not that firmness which is one element of great- 
ness and success. He might utter his opinions in the softest 
tone, with a smile on his features, and yet, unless the best 
of reasons could be adduced for a change, he was as unmov- 
able as a granite crag. He could be relied on. If he gave 
his hand or heart in friendship, there was a changeless 
fidelity that marked all his words and actions. He was a 
good, true friend, and one that never failed in the time 
of trouble and disaster. 

He was the friend of the poor and the oppressed; and 
when the time came to render aid to the suffering millions 
long enslaved, but in God's mercy at length set free, he was 
one of the first to champion their cause — and he stood by 
them to the end of life. In weakness and weariness as he 



MEMORIAL SERVICES. 207 

lay dying on a foreign shore, far away from home and loved 
ones, he still breathed out his desire to do something more 
to help the masses struggling up out of darkness into light, 
out of Egypt into the "promised land." He counted it his 
chief joy to follow in the footsteps of his Divine Master, 
and reach out the hand of loving helpfulness to the weak. 
But, best of all, he was a sincere and faithful Christian; 
faithful as a son and brother — as a husband and father; 
faithful in his loyalty and devotion to Christ. He was not 
demonstrative in his experience of religion ; but he was 
pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be entreated — 
full of the blessed fruits of the Spirit, and, in all his life, 
illustrating the beauty of the Gospel, and at the same time 
enforcing its truth by a life in harmony with its sublime 
principles. 

But he has gone to his reward, and has joined the great 
company of the blood-washed saints before the throne. If 
it should be his privilege to look down upon this gathering 
to-day — if his friend, and your friend, the ever lamented 
Gilbert Haven, should join him in gazing upon this com- 
pany — it must be that a new thrill of joy would fill their 
souls as they contemplate the fact, that the self-sacrifice and 
self-denial of their earthly lives is being blessed of God, 
and carried forward to the realization of all, and more 
than all, they ever dared hope for or anticipate. 

Let us strive to imitate all that is excellent and Chris- 
tian in the life and labors and example of Bishop Wiley, 
that at last we may meet him in heaven, and dwell with 
him in the presence of his Savior and ours. 

Hymn No. 248 was then sung, and Rev. H. Webb spoke 
briefly of Bishop Wiley's last visit to the university, and of 
his words of encouragement. The Doxology was sung, and 
the congregation was dismissed with the benediction. 



208 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

The exercises were conducted by President Clifford, and 
were of the deepest interest throughout. The singing was 
by the students. The audience gave reverent attention; for 
the colored people of our Church, and especially those inter- 
ested in the university which bears the dear bishop's name, 
feel that they have lost a tender father and a devoted friend. 



The following minute in reference to Bishop Wiley was 
read at the last session of the Philadelphia Conference by 
C. J. Little, and adopted by a rising vote : 

" Bishop Isaac W. Wiley was the gift of the Philadel- 
phia Conference to the missionary cause. It is to-day the 
banner conference of our connection, but none of its contri- 
butions have exceeded this — a pure spirit, a brave heart, a 
penetrating mind, united to rare powers of lucid, convincing, 
persuasive speech, a will unobtrusive, but indomitable, a 
soul eager to lay the whole Eastern World at his Master's 
feet. Though he did not live among us, he went out from 
us, and his life's work as missionary, as teacher, as pastor, 
as editor, as bishop, seems to be in some sense a part of our 
history, as well as the history of the Church. 

" Powerful in prayer, luminous in preaching, a wise 
counselor, and skilled in administration, prudent, sagacious, 
self-denying, his students loved and revered him, the people 
listened to him gladly, and those who knew him best were 
most devoted to him. 

" Sore afflicted at times with bodily suffering, over- 
whelmed towards the last with the swift coming of great 
calamity, his faith rose triumphant above it all, and it 
pleased God to complete the circuit of his life by taking 
him to himself from the land to which he consecrated the 
strength of his early manhood, and for whose salvation he, 
being dead, yet speaketh." 



XV. 



EWWaii 8KE7GHES. 



Jrtk S soon as the death of Bishop Wiley became known in 
^Jrf|^ America, our Church papers published sketches of his 
life and character. From these we extract the follow- 
ing paragraphs. Though they add little to what has 
already been said on the preceding pages, they will 
be read with interest, as showing the universal esti- 
mation in which the bishop was held by the Church. 
To include other notices published in the secular papers, and 
resolutions passed at conferences and religious assemblies, 
would make this volume too large : 



•p»e#teim ffihriftticro ^Ifctracate. 

He was a good judge of men, and was wise in adminis- 
tration. He looked widely over the field and understood 
its wants. He scrutinized men and learned their qualifica- 
tions. He was not blinded by prejudices, nor did he allow 
personal preferences to swerve his judgment. The result 
was that he seldom erred, either in the measures which he 
recommended or in the men whom he appointed. 

He was opposed to ostentation, and admired simplicity 
in dress and in worship. He was not inflated by his eleva- 
tion to the high position of bishop, but retained to the last 
all his -old-time plainness of manner and his wonted famil- 

209 



210 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



iarity of fellowship with his brethren. Any man could ap- 
proach him, and no itinerant ever found him deaf to his 
complaint. He could not always relieve a case, but he 
could always listen to it. He was a little pained that men 
draw away from the man who is a bishop, and leave him in 
a sort of mountain solitude. Bishop Wiley desired com- 
panionship. 

His interest in laboring men was very marked, and no 
man has ever been connected with the Book Concern in 
Cincinnati who had a warmer place in the hearts of its em- 
ployes than Bishop Wiley held. 

To the pastor of his family he was as true as any man 
could be, and was always in his place in the congregation 
when it was possible, and enjoyed the plain preaching of a 
pure and simple Gospel. He kept abreast of the times, 
however, and no one knew better than he the questions 
which were foremost in public thought. He read several 
books during his last journey across the Pacific, and ex- 
pressed amazement that so many of the clergy are so little 
informed as to what the men of the world are thinking 
about. 

It was his habit to live among colored people when hold- 
ing colored conferences, and as regularly on such occasions he 
preached in the churches of the colored people. No man 
has done more for our work in the South than he, and no 
man is more beloved by the colored people. He was a 
friend to women's work in the Church. He believed in it. 
At the last General Conference he was the trusted and ear- 
nest adviser of the women who had in charge the organiza- 
tion of the Woman's Home Missionary Society. He stood 
in like friendly attitude toward the Woman's Foreign Mis- 
sionary Society. He was not suspicious of woman's wisdom, 
nor jealous of her growing power, but encouraged her to fol- 
low the call of God, and enter the open fields of the world. 






EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 211 

An accomplished scholar, an eloquent preacher, a wise 
counselor ; a traveler who did not boast of his travels ; a 
denominationalist without bigotry ; a bishop without osten- 
tation ; generous to men who wronged him ; confiding to 
those who loved him ; a man of the people, whose elevation 
and power did not diminish his sympathy for common men ; 
loving and tender in his family, and loving and strong in 
the work of God ; a man who made the utmost possible 
out of life, and was not afraid to die — such was Bishop 
Wiley. We mourn that we shall see his face no more. He 
was a man whom we could ill afford to spare. 

The editor of the same paper, in a later number, adds: 

It brings tears to one's eyes to read how the bishop, as 
he entered the gate of Mr. Plumb's residence, said, " Home, 
my old home." He had been ill and weary for weeks, and 
now he came into a sheltered place, where his friends met 
him with open arms and tearful tenderness, and he ex- 
claimed, " Home !" But there was more in his words than 
simply that his weather-beaten bark had now found a har- 
bor. Thirty-three years ago he lived on that very spot. 
There he took the bride of his young manhood, and from 
that place he followed her to her burial. That spot was his 
home when our mission work in China was just begun. 
And now, as the dust-covered, wayworn traveler comes again 
to this dear place, he exclaims, " Home, my old home \" A 
home was welcome because he was sick and weary, and this 
home was doubly welcome because it was hallowed by the 
tenderest' memories which come to us in this world of love 
and graves. 

The bishop died well. His faith was unwavering, his 
spirit triumphant, and his dying testimony will cheer many a 
weary and trembling heart. He looked this way, and spoke 
tenderly of his loved ones in the United States, for he was a 



212 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

loving husband and father; and he also looked across the 
river into the land of song and glory, rejoiced that he was so 
near it, and longed to be there. The day was glorious with 
sunshine in Foochow, but not so glorious as the divine and 
eternal day into which he passed when he left this world. 
We mourn that we have lost so much, but Bishop Wiley is 
to be congratulated that he has won and received his crown. 

J. H. BAYLISS. 



Stent %}0vh Christian ^iixtocaie. 

His reputation and work are now among the treasures 
of the Church — the garnered harvests of its first century. 
As a preacher he was clear — very clear — rhythmical, and 
flowing, and his sermons were fit to print as they fell from 
his lips. His administration of the affairs ot Pennington 
Seminary was such as to elevate it in public esteem, though 
his predecessors had been the energetic and shrewd Edward 
Cooke, the learned and affable Stephen M. Vail, the schol- 
arly, witty, and accessible J. Townley Crane. Dr. Wiley 
was dignified, yet urbane, easy to approach, yet not to be 
trifled with by colleague or pupil. 

As an editor he had a difficult position. He took the 
Ladies' Repository at a time when the new movements in 
magazine literature and the relations ot woman to the life 
and thought of the age were gathering strength and con- 
centrating ; when capital far beyond our Church's resources 
was employed in the publication and circulation of magazine 
literature ; when competitors without the necessary restraint 
of a periodical published by the Church were insinuated 
into every family. Under the circumstances, his success 
was great, his style being chaste, and the range of his men- 
tal vision sufficiently discursive to gather a due variety of 
material. 



BMDITORIA.lv SKETCHES. 213 

As a bishop, we regard him as one of the most efficient 
the Church has had during the past thirty years. He had 
not the towering eloquence of Bishop Simpson, the capa- 
cious and penetrative and aggressive personality of Bishop 
Ames, the saintliness and indefatigability of Bishop Janes, 
the placid and abstracted intellectuality of Bishop Thomson, 
but he was a genuine and an unusually symmetrical character. 
In lucidity he had no superior among his brethren ; in self- 
restraint he was one among many; in prudence he reached, 
without passing, the limit of rational caution; in knowing 
when to speak and when to be silent in order to influence his 
brethren in the general committees of the Church he had 
nothing left to learn; as an administrator he was faithful in 
the little as well as in the great. Bishop Wiley neglected 
nothing committed to him. 

Principle, rather than feeling, predominated in his moral 
and religious life, but a more tender heart never beat under 
an impassive exterior than in the breast of Bishop Wiley. 

As an extemporaneous speaker of the unexcited type, we 
have not heard his equal in the Church, nor his superior in 
the legal profession. In 1873 a General Missionary Confer- 
ence was held in Pittsburg. The writer was present, and 
heard from the lips of Bishop Wiley, during three days, nine 
addresses, arising from the current conversations on the dif- 
ferent fields. These could not but be extemporaneous. We 
heard them with wonder — so calm and low and sweet was 
his utterance, yet so continuous and so accurate withal. 
There were no bursts, no Niagaras of speech, like those 
which startled, yet delighted, the audiences of Dr. Durbin, 
but a " sweet gliding Kedron " of eloquence, which flowed 
into the hearts of his hearers. Speaking of his days of dark- 
ness and bereavement in China, he said : " Brethren, it is 
with sorrow and joy that I recall those days — sorrow that I 
should have had a cup so bitter, joy that I and those whom I 



214 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

loved and lost should have had some part in the healing of 
the nations." What a pathetic coincidence that he should 
have gone back there to die! Would he have refused the 
choice if the Master had placed it before him? 

On his return in 1854, he published a work entitled " The 
Fallen Missionaries of Foochow." He is numbered among 
them now. Whoever edits another edition of that work 
must add the name of the author, and once again that mis- 
sion is consecrated in the love and faith of the Church. 

Bishop Wiley was a man of sorrows and acquainted with 
grief. Few have suffered the shafts of bereavement more 
frequently than he, or under more excruciating conditions ; 
but this can never happen again. He has gone 

" Where those who meet shall part no more, 
And those long parted meet again." 

To his family, " so near, and yet so far," the heart of the 
Church will turn in sympathy, as it gives thanks to God for 
a career unspotted and very fruitful in good works. 

J. M. BUCKLEY. 



Central Christian ^hvocate. 

During the last three years Bishop Wiley had passed 
through severe affliction, especially in the loss of his sou, 
who was burned to death, and for a time his health seemed 
undermined. Indeed, he never fully recovered from the 
severe trials of his early mission experiences. He was a 
preacher of marked ability, courageous in the expression of 
his opinions, but careful and conservative in administration. 
His knowledge of men was something quite out of the com- 
mon way, and often surprised those with whom he communi- 
cated freely. Looking over the twenty years during which 
we were favored with his acquaintance, we see a record of 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 215 

faithful labor, entire devotion to his Master and the Church 
which honored him with her highest positions. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church has given many of her 
choicest men and women to the cause of missions. Her 
first bishop, Coke, was buried in the Indian Ocean, on his 
way with the first company of Wesleyan missionaries to 
India. Bishop Kingsley sleeps quietly in the beautiful 
Prussian Cemetery at Beyroot, his tomb a chief object of 
interest to American and English visitors to the Holy Land. 
And now Bishop Wiley has laid down his life where his 
life work for the Church began, and where he buried the 
beloved wife of his youth. The heart of the Church will 
be deeply touched by his death. b. st. j. fry. 



If Bishop Wiley was true to the guiding of duty as it 
led to the Christian culture of the colored people, he was 
no less solicitous for the moral and mental improvement of 
the whites in the South, and in his zeal for this he was 
ready to do what he could, even if that was not all he 
would. He distinguished between ideals and reals. He 
was not visionary, but practical. He would do now that 
which was possible, and the rest when Providence opened 
the way. Such were the views that actuated him in aiding 
the establishment of"schools practically for whites and blacks 
where either or both classes preferred it, and conferences 
of the same kind. Many of his brethren diifered with 
him — some even spoke harshly of him, especially concern- 
ing the school at Little Eock — but time has proven, not 
only the sincerity of the man, but the present wisdom of 
his action. 

Bishop Wiley was not the agitator or the revolutionist 
that our beloved and sainted Gilbert Haven, whom the col- 



216 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

ored people almost idolized, was. Haven in battle, with 
dauntless courage, led the host to victory. Wiley, quiet, 
calm, and no less courageous, bound up the wounded, and 
called the combatants once more to peace. Wiley had not 
the magisterial force of appearance and almost dictatorial 
dignity of Foster. His was the quiet simplicity of a child. 
He firmly ruled by seeming not to rule. 

Wiley loses nothing in comparison with Bishop Harris, 
that man of matchless business capacity and exalted integ- 
rity. Harris is a thunder-storm, vigorously attacking, rout- 
ing, expelling, and tearing away all impurities. Wiley was 
the shower of May, cleansing the dusty air, kissing the 
flowers into bloom, and loading the breeze with odors and 
life-inspiring fragrance. Each is useful in its line, and 
both are needful. M. w. taylor. 



Bishop Wiley was a quiet and remarkably undemon- 
strative man. His calm equipoise gave him an aspect of 
apparent stoicism, but beneath this exterior there were a 
large, sensitive heart and a grand soul. The unmoved de- 
meanor in whatever presence was, in fact, the trained, stu- 
dious, and alert front of a physician whose mental habit, 
formed in the presence of sick men, served him when he 
was called to watch, in his turn, the pulse of the world. 
That almost cold eye, which perhaps repulsed some men, 
won our entire respect and faith and active love. Some 
human eyes waste far too much time and opportunity and 
service in ever ready tears or perfunctory smiles in the very 
moments when they ought to be calmly focused to discern 
the timely crisis, and identify the opportune remedy. 
Bishop Wiley loved the Church, and held high estimates 
of her divine mission. As missionary, teacher, pastor, ed- 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 217 

itor, and general superintendent, lie succeeded and exceeded. 
Like Bishop E. O. Haven, who, however, had a very differ- 
ent temperament and make-up, Bishop Wiley, while he 
never dazzled or even greatly surprised an audience by pre- 
eminent oratory, never failed to render excellent platform 
and pulpit service. Every sermon and address added to 
the close observer's conviction that the speaker was a strong, 
sound, judicial, earnest, honest advocate of the truth. Rare 
sound sense, solid judgment, unfailing good taste, wide in- 
formation, scholarly instincts, downright sincerity, unwink- 
ing courage, clean hands, unsullied lips, and a pure heart 
were leading characteristics of the firm personal friend 
whom we mourn to-day. Very few men are among the 
unfriendly critics of Bishop Wiley. It is just possible that 
in exceptional instances he was a trifle curt or fixedly over- 
firm. Like most men of strong convictions, he may have 
had a touch of the strong prejudices which do sometimes 
most humanly get wrongly directed. However, with his 
unquestionable devotion to the Church, even that possible 
failing leaned to virtue's side. 

If we mistake not, Bishop Wiley buried the wife of his 
youth in Foochow, China, while he was a missionary phy- 
sician there. His present wife lives in Cincinnati, where 
also are two daughters, one of them quite a young girl. 
The Church will remember that the bishop, a few years 
since, lost a favorite son through an accidental explosion of 
some volatile oils in a store cellar, and subsequent fire and 
suffocation. The Upper Iowa Conference will recall the 
wonderful exterior calm that masked the crushed heart of 
the father when he received the sad news during an open 
conference session. Those brethren will fully appreciate 
the moral and mental equipoise to which we allude in this 
article. In the upper kingdom they neither marry nor are 
given in marriage ; there will be more than tender poetry 



218 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

in the fact, should the remains of the departed bishop be 
laid away to rest in Foochow close beside the sleeping dust 
of the wife who once sailed away with him to doubly pre- 
scribe for the sick and sin-sick in heathen wildernesses. 
Thousands and thousands will, in thought, plant many a 
sweet white rose or yellow daffodil above the mound that 
marks the honored resting-place of those who, divided by 
death, are reunited in life. Arthur edwards. 



$Htt&tmtr0h <&hviatian Sitivtocate. 

Bishop Wiley was a man possessed, in many respects, 
of conspicuous talents. He was a most admirable preacher. 
He did not possess the pathos and sweeping eloquence of 
Bishop Simpson, nor the grasp and force of one or two 
other of his episcopal colleagues, but for clear and methodi- 
cal thought, ready, lucid, concise, and beautiful utterance, 
for tenderness and impressiveness, and for ability never to 
fall below an excellent average in the pulpit, it may be 
doubted whether he had many superiors in the ministry. 
He was a workman who had no occasion to be ashamed, and 
of whom the Church never was ashamed. 

As a counselor in the different departments of the Church, 
his services were of the greatest value. Especially was this 
true of the great missionary questions. His mind was clear 
and incisive, and possessed a remarkable grasp. He was 
able to seize these subjects as a master. On missionary 
matters, it is said, he had come to be an acknowledged au- 
thority. In the councils of the Church, therefore, he will 
be greatly missed. 

In literature, he was a man of excellent taste and abil- 
ity. His career as an editor was a decided success. His 
writings have all been of the most cultured and finished 
class, manifesting his scholarship and care. His energies 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 219 

devoted to this field would have made for him a superior 
reputation. 

It seems a little singular that Bishop Simpson, who made 
the closing address to the General Conference, and Bishop 
Wiley, who offered the concluding prayer, should both, 
within six months, have joined the ranks beyond the river! 
And it is an impressive providence that, after thirty years 
of absence from that city, Bishop Wiley should return to 
Foochow and lay down his life and his work amid the 
scenes of his early missionary labors ! But so it was. And 
so it is that God removes the great leaders from the Church, 
one by one, but never takes away his Presence from her. 
Hence, the Church goes steadily on, and, if true to him, 
must ever triumph. c. w. smith. 



•gtorrittetrn <S>hvi&tiatt Schtmcate* 

Bishop Wiley was a man of great intellectual activity ; 
not profound in thought, but quick and versatile. Both in 
his writings and in his sermons and lectures his style was 
remarkable for simplicity, perspicuity, and precision. The 
ease, earnestness, and terseness with which he spoke gave a 
peculiar charm to his preaching ; and his success was doubt- 
less due largely to those mental and moral qualities which 
are indicated by these characteristics. Behind all his acts 
and words there was manifestly the force of genuine intel- 
ligent conviction, a reverence for truth, and a definite and 
honorable aim. With him there was no pretense, no osten- 
tation, no extravagance, but sincerity, moderation, and ex- 
actness. Yet he was not destitute of sentiment, and he 
permitted the imagination to fulfill its functions. He was, 
therefore, pleasing as well as instructive, vivacious as well 
as thoughtful. 

The qualities of character thus indicated entered, of 
15 



220 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

course, into all his endeavors, and were manifest in all his 
habits and relations. In his deportment he was quiet, mod- 
est, and dignified. As a friend and brother, he was sympa- 
thetic and true. As an administrator, he was gentle, kind, 
and firm. He was quick in his discernment of character. 
He was especially clear and discriminating in his judgment, 
and hence was influential in counsel where great interests 
were at stake. He was a man of great faith and ardent 
devotion — in all relations truly and consistently loyal to 
Christ. Faith, hope, and charity marked his character, and 
shone forth in his example. Long will he be held in grate- 
ful remembrance by the Church which now mourns his sud- 
den and unexpected departure. o. h. warren. 



f&alifovnia &hvi&Han ^bvecate. 

In the bishop's letter to us from Tokio, he referred to 
his parting with Drs. Gibson and Jewell and the editor of 
the Advocate, and the last sight of us as the City of Peking 
floated into the stream. We were the last to leave the ship, 
and ever since have felt the pressure of the bishop's hand, 
and his warm and affectionate farewell, and remembered his 
earnest, anxious look and the rare reddening and moistening 
of his eyes. His manner seemed to us different from any 
thing we had witnessed before in him. He was fond of the 
sea, and did not dread that, yet an indefinable tenderness 
and sadness seemed to come over him then. Neither war in 
China nor great changes in climate had any terrors for him. 
He had the true apostolic missionary spirit, and died on a 
brave, grand missionary tour. He deserves a place among 
the heroes of the Church. We express the wish of all the 
preachers out here that he should sleep where he fell, and, 
with Kingsley, make another tie to bind our hearts to mis- 
sionary work. B. F. CRARY. 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 221 



Xt*m'» gjeretll*. 



For four years Bishop Wiley resided in Boston, and 
became greatly endeared to New England Methodists. 
Since that time he has made Cincinnati his home, exchang- 
ing pastoral residences with Bishop Foster. Bishop Wiley 
has held throughout his career the sincere respect of the 
Church. A man of unblemished character, of superior 
intelligence and much culture, he had remarkable endow- 
ments as a preacher. At times his sermons were especially 
powerful and eloquent, always well-arranged, clear, instruc- 
tive, and impressive. As a presiding officer he was always 
self-possessed, familiar with rules of order, easy, patient, 
and good tempered, and always keeping the brethren to 
the question and urging forward the business. A good 
man, excellent in counsel and diligent in service, has fallen 
at his post. May his mantle rest upon his sons in the gos- 
pel! Many warm friends in this vicinity will feel the 
tenderest sympathy for his deeply bereaved family. God 
support them in this trying hour! b. k. peirce. 



git* ¥>aul ®hv0tiicle (©fttcftt«(*tt)« 

It were far better for society if that honor lavished so 
freely upon its best names, after those who bore them 
have gone from its presence forever, were less grudgingly 
bestowed before they pass away. To exalt virtue only in 
its buried — and hence no longer tested — representatives, 
evinces a stupidity or obliquity of the moral sense that 
robs the tribute of its value. The crown proffered to the 
dead fairly belonged to the living. Granted as soon as won, 
it would have cheered on a heroic spirit and brightened the 
flush of victory on the brow that, in death, is insensible 
even to the touch of a crown. Could the hollow temple 



222 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

throb again, it would sometimes spurn the tardy bauble 
whose bestowal was conditioned upon obliviousness to what- 
ever it might signify. 

But treatment so ungracious costs not the hero so much 
as it does society, which, failing to discern and promptly 
revere exalted character, ignores the most hopeful means 
of inspiring the young with right ambitions, besides suffer- 
ing that inevitable debasement which ever attends a refusal 
of honor to what is honorable. 

The above was written prefatory to a brief sketch of the 
services and character of Bishop Wiley while he was yet 
supposed to be in usual health on the opposite side of the 
globe, soon to return to his home and the friends who thus, 
in his absence, sought to do him deserved and special honor. 
But, alas ! how changed the office of affectionate regard. 
We are startled at the coincidence of the preparations that 
had been made with the unexpected conditions that demand 
them. What love had already begun, tender veneration is 
left to complete. But we seem so helpless, standing with 
half-woven chaplets in our hands, looking away off west- 
ward, waiting for our hero — who is never to come. 

How critically we study, how much we exact of the 
artist who paints our dead! Happy, he, if he but succeed 
in mingling our love-tints with his lights and shades. 

More jealous still are we of the portraiture of the soul 
that made those features benignant and dear. Word-colors 
are so impotent. They have no eye that weeps, no heart 
that sighs, no arms that reach forth in anguish, and embrace 
only desolateness. How, then, shall this poor pen proceed? 
In the presence, almost, of a modesty that forbade every 
semblance of flattery, and, in the face of conventional un- 
seemliness, it might have dared some faint outlines of the 
living; but now that all barriers are away, and a great char- 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 223 

acter waits to be portrayed, it trembles in weakness. Not 
that Bishop Wiley is greater in death than he was in life; 
no good man is. The clipping of the thread does not alter 
its texture, nor the silence of the loom affect the quality of 
what has been woven. But the thread of his life is not cut, 
nor is the web removed. The pattern, as he had designed it, 
ran beyond the grave-line, and, though we may not see the 
shuttle flying, we know it has not stopped. The friction, 
the painful, fearful toil — this has ended. 

People talk of great men, but only the fewest know them 
when they see them. The many are awed by assumption, 
and true greatness never assumes. Call the traits of mind 
and spirit that go to make a great man, and let any one 
who knew Bishop Wiley say what he lacked. An intellect 
vigorous, penetrating, comprehensive in grasp, under ready 
and constant control; a capacity for positive convictions 
alongside of considerate regard for the opinions of others; 
a spirit marked by simplicity, sincerity, judicial integrity, 
firmness, reverence, courage, all in high degree, and united 
with tenderness and magnanimity; a character brought to 
almost perfect poise through a thorough self-conquest, and 
all its well-disciplined energies devoted to the good of 
men — if such qualities constitute greatness, then was he a 
great man. Every word here written, balanced against a 
life in the sunlight of observation, stands challenging the 
records to dispute its pertinence. With a tongue set to classic 
English, and a diction as rhythmical as a poem, he made 
every theme he loved so self-luminous that its brightness 
could not be forgotten. And his themes were such as Jesus 
loved. His special burdens were China, the freedmen, and 
the victims of Mormonism. In this trinity of degrading 
agencies — heathenism, slavery, and ecclesiastical tyranny — 
he had compassed the great sources of human misery. China 
has his body, as a precious testimony of his love, and may 



224 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

well be comforted; but in the lonely cabin of the freedmen 
there will be tears without consolation, for there also had 
Bishop Wiley gone as guest and friend. And here at 
home, outside the sacred circle where his coming not again 
leaves such unquenchable desire to go to him, there will be 
great sadness for a long time. The grand Pacific, thrice 
traversed at the Master's bidding, at last stretched away into 
a grander and ever pacific sea, whose waves are the swelling 
hallelujahs of the redeemed. earl cranston. 



The late loved and lamented Bishop Wiley we of Cin- 
cinnati fondly thought was peculiarly our own. Coming 
here in the early prime of his ministerial manhood, he 
spent the greater part of the last twenty years of his life in 
our midst. As editor of the Ladies' Repository, and then, 
later, as resident bishop, the interests of Methodism in Cin- 
cinnati and throughout Ohio had come to be, in marked 
degree, his own. We were proud of his abilities. We 
sympathized with him in his many sorrows. We rejoiced 
with him in his successes. He was the wise counselor and 
friend of our preachers. It was the pride and delight of 
our people to have him in their homes. As an editor, with 
a pure and polished pen, as a preacher, ever silver-tongued 
and admirable in the presentation of Gospel truth, as a 
platform speaker, of singular extemporaneous simplicity and 
strength, our departed bishop had won his way to the af- 
fection and great respect of all who knew him here. These 
same qualities, united to a philanthropic breadth of sympa- 
thy and thought which took in the needs of the freedmen 
at the South and the heathen in India, China, and Japan, 
commanded the high regard of all who knew him in his 
far-extended episcopal tours. We thought he belonged to 
us. We cherished him when here, followed him in prayer- 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 225 

ful thought when distant, and now sorrow that we shall see 
his face no more. St. Paul Church, where for so many 
years he has worshiped, said: "Bishop Wiley belongs to 
us." The black man said : " He belongs to me." The 
Mongolian said : " He belongs to me." But God said : 
" He belongs to me." And, after a well-rounded life of 
missionary and ministerial sacrifice and toil, he ended his 
labors where, for the Master, they so long ago began — in 
his first missionary field in far-away Foochow. Though 
often deeply afflicted, like Enoch, he " walked with God, 
and was not, for God took him." We shall miss him in 
his accustomed pew. We mingle our tears with those of 
his loving wife and far-separated daughters. But we say to 
Church and family and friends, the wish of our Bishop 
Wiley is gratified. He would have chosen to die and to be 
buried in the distant land he loved so well. An eloquent 
tongue is stilled. A heroic, enduring spirit has departed. 
Thank God, we sorrow not as those without hope. We ex- 
pect to spend an eternity of bliss in the company of such 
worthies as Morris and Clark and Kingsley and Simpson 
and Wiley. Great in goodness, they are not dead. They 
live for evermore. J. J. reed. 



In his episcopal office Bishop Wiley ranked with the 
best of our chief pastors. His excellence consisted in the 
symmetrical development of his whole nature. He was 
remarkably composed, but not indifferent ; reserved, without 
being isolated from his brethren; undemonstrative, but 
having a heart glowing with piety and love. His speech 
was remarkably pure and sweet. It was like the flowing 
of a beautiful river, its waters glistening in the sunlight, 
its banks bordered with graceful trees, blooming flowers, 
and singing birds. His language was almost faultless; his 



226 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

thoughts clear, concise, and logical. His audiences were 
moved by his eloquence, not as the whirlwind sways the 
forest, but as the glorious sun melts the ice, and bathing 
all nature in warmth makes her regal in beauty and utility. 

E. T. CUKNICK. 

Bishop Wiley was revered and loved by Methodism's 
thousands in Arkansas. If this seems strange, in view of 
his distant residence, his labors and responsibilities else- 
where, his comparatively rare visits and short sojourns 
among us, it is but the simple truth. No surer evidence of 
the greatness of his heart can be found than that in it so 
many great interests found generous sympathy. China and 
Japan, Utah, and the broad South, from east to west, 
stretched out their hands to him, and found, as we did, 
that he was quick to hear and to help them. We never 
thought of his circumscribing himself to this particular 
field, large as it is, but knew that he could still give us his 
tenderest sympathies and his most careful counsel. It is 
allotted to few to share the toil and the glory of pioneer 
work. Indeed, few are qualified for its peculiar demands. 
Their danger is failure ; their privilege is renown. But 
Bishop Wiley was one of the most sagacious pioneers of our 
Methodism in Arkansas. He saw the needs of this State 
and its possibilities, and straightway took it to his heart. 
Years ago he discerned and foretold the trend of events in 
connection with the growth of the Church, and adapted his 
plans to it. His foresight and wisdom were quickly mani- 
fest, and then the depth of his kindly nature. This is the 
simple story. In times of hardship and danger and sacri- 
fice he was a father to this work, and will be remembered 
as its hero. He held the Arkansas Conference at Fort 
Smith in 1877, and at Little Rock in 1884; also, at the 
latter place, the Little Rock Conference, in the same year. 



EDITORIAL SKETCHES. 227 

He dedicated, in connection with the corresponding secre- 
tary of the Freedmen's Aid Society, the Philander Smith 
College and the Little Rock University, after having entered 
zealously and patiently into all the plans of the secretary, 
which gave them existence. His championship of the cause of 
education was no accident, but the result of a profound con- 
viction that this cause is a necessary ally of the Church in 
its great mission to the poor of this land. He was a true 
statesman, in that he studied history, and applied its lessons 
to the solution of the great problems of the future. In his 
mind there lay a clear, logical connection between these halls 
of learning and the fundamental principles upon which the 
evangelization of this people depends. In administering 
the affairs of the Churches, he was far-seeing. Nothing 
seemed too hard for him to do which the cause demanded, 
and when the brethren learned his views they were regarded 
with profound respect. His influence over them was very 
great, and his name is a household word among our people. 
Nor does he shine as an executive officer alone. His ser- 
mons and addresses were models of beauty and power, and 
were admired by our most intelligent citizens. He shone 
upon us as a star of the first magnitude, luminous, serene, 
and majestic. He was our ideal of a bishop, a Christian, 
and a man. It was his providential privilege to receive 
great power, and his immortal honor to use it well. 

e. s. LEWIS. 

Bishop "Wiley was our own bishop, and he loved to be 
thus acknowledged. His quiet, pathetic, earnest life touched 
our hearts and evoked our sympathies. To him, more 
than to any other, perhaps, is the Lexington Conference 
indebted for the degree of success which has been attained. 
He regarded it as his conference. He was wont to say, 
"my conference," these are "my boys." And this expres- 



228 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



sion was used, not in any sense to convey an idea of inferi- 
ority, or to suggest even a thought of our "previous con- 
dition," but it was the expression of a fatherly sentiment 
which brought joy to our hearts. The conference recipro- 
cated this confidence and affection, and responded with a 
hearty resolve and a steady purpose to bring joy to the 
heart of our friend and brother, as well as to the great 
Church of which he was an honored representative, by fol- 
lowing the counsels which he so generously gave, and to 
measure up to the paternal relationship thus acknowledged. 
As our presiding bishop he was one of us. He was not 
with us simply to preside over our deliberations, and read 
the appointments suggested by the cabinet, but he was pre- 
eminently one of us. He did not seem to court the favors 
nor fear the frowns of those who opposed his plans for our 
benefit. Nor did the fear of social ostracism prevent him 
from honoring his Master in a strictly honorable and right- 
eous course. He loved righteousness for its own sake. 
To him it was better to be right than to be a bishop. He 
sought to become personally acquainted with us. He came 
to our homes, he looked into our family circles. His pious 
devotions kindled upon our family altars. His pleasant 
smile and kindly voice was the talisman that unlocked our 
hearts, and he took possession of them in the name of the 
King of kings. He took careful note of our progress from 
within with that spirit of charity which was characteristic 
of him. We hailed his coming as the harbinger of peace 
and good will. His presence was an inspiration, and his 
departure made us wish and hope and pray for his return. 
It is probably true that no bishop possessed a more exten- 
sive knowledge of our capabilities, possibilities, and respon- 
sibilities than did Bishop Wiley. He tried to solve the 
great problem of our destiny; hence he noted carefully 
every phase through which we passed, and all the circum- 



EDITORIAL SKETOHES. 229 

stances by which we were surrounded, and thus gained a 
thorough knowledge of our moral, social, domestic, and 
intellectual needs. 

He was the friend and patron of our schools. Believing 
that one of the chief instrumentalities in the uplifting of 
the race was an educated ministry, he encouraged by voice 
and pen, and by personal contribution, the establishment of 
enterprises for that purpose. He believed that there was a 
great and brilliant future before us, and he appreciated very 
keenly its increasing duties and responsibilities. His views 
on this subject were neither too radical nor conservative. 
Nor was he an apologist, but was at all times" a safe and wise 
counselor. Believing that Christian education was the prime 
factor in the solution of the great negro problem, he was 
among the foremost in recognizing the relationship of the 
Church to this great work, and his influence and means 
were freely given in favor of recognizing, fostering, and 
cultivating the rights, the duties, the ties, and the obliga- 
tions incident to its development. Our conference was sin- 
gularly fortunate in having Bishop Wiley as its presiding 
officer during three of its annual sessions since his election 
to the episcopate. At the last semi-annual meeting of the 
bishops, he was assigned to the conference for the fourth 
time, and we were preparing to give him a right royal 
welcome; but our heavenly Father has willed it otherwise. 
Of all the bishops who have presided over our conference 
since its organization, none have surpassed Bishop Wiley in 
the adjustment of our conference forces for aggressive Chris- 
tian work. His knowledge of our needs was marvelous. 
His frequent visits to our conference as its presiding officer, 
and a continued residence within our conference boundary, 
gave him some superior advantages in this respect. It is 
probable that he knew nearly every effective member of the 
conference by name. He knew the work, and being person- 



230 



ISAAC W. WILEY. 



ally acquainted with the qualifications of many of the men, 
there was general satisfaction with the appointments. 

His addresses to the conference classes will never be 
forgotten. His parting words have inspired us to go forth 
with renewed zeal in the spread of Scripture holiness among 
the people; and the thought that he was at the head of the 
conference column during its annual march strengthened con- 
fidence, inspired hope, and gave impetus to its development. 

Gratitude to God for the gift of such a distinguished 
friend mingles with our tears. How struggles the thought? 
We pause a moment to read the fateful message from the far 
away post of duty. We stand with bated breath. How sad 
to the stricken widow and children ! to the Church which he 
had so faithfully served, and to us who regarded him as a 
true friend and a father in the Lord! With stricken heart 
and tear-dimmed eye we read the message, Bishop Wiley is 
dead! O, no, whisper Faith and Hope, he is not dead, but 
sleepeth. With sword still in hand, and with armor buckled 
on, he lay down to rest upon the field of battle. What a 
glorious retrospect ! 

We may not lift the towering granite shaft to perpetuate 
his memory and to commemorate his illustrious deeds, nor 
will "storied urn nor animated bust" be required to remind 
us of his devotion to our interests ; but while our hearts are 
susceptible to an emotion, a sentiment, an inspiration, an am- 
bition to do heroic service for God and humanity, his mem- 
ory will be enshrined there, and the inspiration of his pure 
life will intensify every resolve to quit ourselves like men 
and be strong. Servant of God, farewell. 

"Thou hast finished thy work; thou hast 'fought a hard fight;' 
Thou hast battled for God and defended the right. 
' Henceforth ' take thy crown, and a robe, and the rest 
That remaineth for thee in the home of the blest." 

E. W. S. HAMMOND. 



PRAYER ffl GENERAL 60^EREMGE. 



We conclude this volume with the prayer offered 
by Bishop Wiley at the close of the General Conference 
of L884: 

Our Adorable Savior, we would crown thee Lord of 
all. Thou hast redeemed us; thou hast given thy Spirit to 
us; thou hast taught us the way of life; thou art our per- 
sonal Savior, thou art our future hope ; we crown thee Lord 
of all. And now, our adorable Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, we come to thee at this, the close of the session of 
our General Conference, to acknowledge how near thou 
hast been to us, how great has been thy blessing upon us, 
how multiplied have been thy mercies, how rich has been 
thy grace, as day after day, and week after week, we have 
endeavored with honest hearts, with pure purposes, and with 
upright motives to do the best that we could for the highest 
interest of thy Church, and to meet the responsibility that 
thou hast laid upon us. We thank thee that we have lived; 
that thy kind providence has taken so good care of us; that 
our lives and health have been precious in thy sight; that 
thy loving Providence in the most instances has been mind- 
ful of our families, from which so many have been separated, 
and that so few have been called away from us by calamity 
or sickness or death in the families at home. And now, 
under circumstances of so great mercy, we come to finish 
our work. We thank thee, O God, for the powerful influ- 

(231) 



232 ISAAC W. WILEY. 

ence of thy Holy Spirit, by which, in so great harmony 
and brotherly love, we have been preserved during the delib- 
erations of these many days. We thank thee for our per- 
sonal assurance that thy Spirit has been with us to direct 
the deliberations of this body, so that now, as we come to 
its close, we can, with good conscience, lift up our thoughts 
and hearts to thee that thou hast been with us, and that we 
have done the best we could. Yet we are very conscious 
of our human infirmities, of our shortness of view, of our 
liability to error, and we would bring all our work, with 
its imperfections, with its possible mistakes, with the human 
failure that may attach to it, and lay it all at thy feet, and 
would pray thee, who never makest mistakes, who never 
art short in thy wisdom, and who art full of power — we 
would pray thee, O thou Head of the Church, take all that 
we have done, bless it, overrule, direct it in the years 
to come, that all that is good thou mayest make mighty 
for the accomplishment of thy will, and all that may be 
wrong thou mayest so overrule as to turn it to the highest 
and best good of the Church. 

Now, we pray thee, dismiss us with thy blessing; let 
thy heavenly mercies rest upon all these thy servants; go 
with these ministers to their homes; fill their hearts with 
thy Spirit; direct and bless them in their work; and grant 
to make the quadrennium on which we now enter the most 
signal we have ever had for the triumph and prosperity of 
the Church. Bless these laymen who have left their busi- 
ness, and have made these days of sacrifice out of their love 
to the Church of God and this work thou hast given them. 
O Lord, fill these laymen and all the laymen of the 
Church with the Spirit of God, that they and the ministry 
may rise in the might and strength of God for the accom- 
plishment of great things for thy Church. 

We beseech thee to bless the bishops of the Church, to 



PRAYER AT GENERAL CONFERENCE. 233 

whom now, through the labors and enactments of this con- 
ference, have been committed great responsibilities. Do 
thou give them great grace, large wisdom, pure hearts, con- 
secrated lives, and fervent devotion to the Church of Christ. 

Grant especially thy tenderest mercies and thy loving 
care to our beloved colleague and senior. The Lord let 
him remain long with us. We love to see his face. We 
love to hear his voice. We love to hear and receive his 
counsels. His very presence is a benediction to thy Church. 
Lord, spare him on earth as long as it is well to keep him 
out of heaven. Grant thy blessing upon the younger mem- 
bers of the board that this conference has given to us. O, 
baptize them with the spirit of Christ, and with the spirit of 
full consecration to this work which the Church has com- 
mitted to them. 

Now we part. Lord, go with us. Let thy blessing be 
upon all these thy servants as they journey to their homes. 
May they reach their homes in safety and in health. Be 
Avith us through all coming time. Direct us; use us, and 
accomplish thine own purpose with us; and then finally, 
when the end shall come, and the great day of God shall 
be upon us, may all we who are here, and all who have 
been here, be gathered with the General Assembly and 
Church of the first born, to dwell with thee forever. And 
unto the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we will 
render all the glory and praise forever. — Amen. 




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